Humility, the Virtue That Undergirds the Rest

Of the many virtues we find in the Bible, which is most significant? Love? Holiness? Generosity? Integrity? Selflessness? In Galatians 5:22-23 we find one short list of possibilities: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” But which of all the virtues is most important?

 

We could find strong biblical support for each possibility, including the ones cited above. However, I would suggest another: Humility.

 

Why? First, before looking at what the Scriptures say specifically about humility – or being humble – let’s consider how C.S. Lewis responded when asked a different but related question: “What is the great sin? What sin is worse than any other?” His answer was: 

“There is one vice of which no man in the world is free; which everyone in the world loathes when he sees it in someone else and of which hardly any people, except Christians, ever imagine that they are guilty themselves. There is no fault which makes a man more unpopular, and no fault which we are more unconscious of in ourselves. And the more we have it ourselves, the more we dislike it in others… the essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride. Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere fleabites in comparison. It was through pride that the Devil became the Devil: Pride leads to every other vice. It is the complete anti-God state of mind.”

 

For more on why Lewis singled out pride, read chapter 8, “The Great Sin,” in his book, Mere Christianity. My thought is that if pride indeed is the greatest sin – and I’m inclined to agree – then the greatest virtue might be its antithesis, humility. One definition of humility is, “the practice of meekness, obedience to God, respect of self and others, submissiveness…putting others’ needs before their own, sacrificing for the love of others.”

 

Think about it: To love others as the Bible teaches, unconditionally and even sacrificially, requires humility; willingly putting others ahead of ourselves. To be patient with others often requires setting our schedules, agendas and desires aside. To be genuinely kind toward others may mean putting their needs ahead of our own. Basically, it’s just the opposite of the “it’s all about me,” “Look out for No. 1!” perspective being promoted by today’s society.

 

Sorry to remind you, but we’re in another national election year, with many major political offices at stake, not the least of which being President of the United States. We’ll have to endure a bombardment of political messages created to exalt their respective candidates who will “approve this ad.” Pride – and its perpetual companion, ego – will be on full display: “I’m the best…my opponent is the worst!” 

 

We won’t see much humility being exhibited during the coming campaign season, yet as Lewis observed, “there is no fault which makes a man more unpopular” than pride. Conversely, there’s something endearing about its counterpart, humility. When an accomplished individual, regardless of their area of expertise, deflects praise and directs credit elsewhere, whether to God, family, teammates, coworkers or whomever, it tends to warm our hearts, doesn’t it?

 

In the Scriptures we find dozens of passages that deal with the virtues of humility. Proverbs 11:2, for example, makes note of both the “great sin” and perhaps, the greatest virtue: “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” In Proverbs 18:12 we find the same idea: “Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.”

 

“Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life,” Proverbs 22:4 tells us. Another verse that has spoken strongly to me is Proverbs 27:21, “The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold; but a man is tested by the praise he receives.” When we’re being commended for work well-done, do we risk breaking our arms patting ourselves on the back, or do we give honor and glory to God for giving us the capability for what we’ve achieved?

 

Another reason I consider humility among the greatest of all biblical virtues is because of the example set by the Lord Jesus Christ. Speaking to His disciples, Jesus offered a truth that might have caught them off guard when He said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). They didn’t understand at the time, but He was referring to His impending crucifixion, willingly giving His life to atone for our sins.

 

In the New Testament book of Philippians we're given a wonderful description of humility:

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:5-8).

 

There’s no greater demonstration of humility than that. In our humanness, it’s easier to be prideful and egocentric. But following Christ’s example and empowered by His Spirit, our desire should be to heed the apostle Paul’s exhortation: “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2-3).

We’re not likely to see much of this through the coming months of electoral puffing and pontificating, on the athletic fields, or in the media. But if we’re followers of Jesus, to think and act with humility is indeed part of “the calling [we] have received.” 

Humility: Capacity for Putting Self on the Shelf

Whether it’s athletes, politicians, entertainers, business leaders, or people we encounter every day, we understand the value of confidence and self-assurance. But at the same time, perhaps paradoxically, we also delight in seeing and hearing displays of genuine humility. 

 

We find many examples of non-humility, people with household names who seem consumed with themselves. “Look at me!” “I’m so great!” “Did you see what I’ve done?” Even if their accomplishments are significant, don’t you find attitudes like that extremely off-putting?

 

Not sure who said it first, but here’s a great definition of true humility: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself but rather, thinking of yourself less.” It doesn’t mean self-flagellation or self-deprecation. But it does mean, as Romans 12:3 expresses it, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”

 

Even for individuals unusually gifted in certain areas, there’s little reason for becoming overly prideful. As the apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 4:7, “…What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” 

 

In other words, even if one can run fast or jump high, speak powerfully in a resonant voice, sing glorious melodies, or influence people through a winning personality, that’s not cause for boasting. We can hone and refine innate talents through training and practice, but we couldn’t have excelled without the raw talents to begin with.

 

It’s become a Christmastime tradition for some people to engage in escapades they call, “Elf on the Shelf.” Humility can be a year-round pursuit – putting self on the shelf.

 

I’ve found an excellent description of this in what I refer to as the “do nothing” verse from the Bible: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4). 

 

When we encounter someone sincerely concerned about the needs of other people, even at a cost to themselves, doesn’t that warm our hearts? People like Mother Teresa come to mind, as well as folks who dedicate themselves to working with the homeless and the inner-city poor, schoolteachers resolved to identify the best in every student, and other sacrificial endeavors.

 

We can manifest the so-called Christian life in many ways, but one of the most attractive traits of a true follower of Jesus Christ is humility, not thinking of yourself more highly than you ought. We have no greater example than Jesus Himself.

 

Philippians 2:5-8 admonishes, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and become obedient to death – even death on a cross.” 

 

His example applies to everyone, but especially for those in positions of leadership and great influence. As Jesus said, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke12:48).

 

We often interpret this teaching in terms of wealth and material possessions, but it also concerns the abilities and opportunities the Lord gives and sets before us. Rather than utilizing them for our own advantage, the principle is we’re to use them to benefit others. We find the following exhortation for those in leadership:

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be…eager to serve, not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock…. Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time” (1 Peter 5:2-6).

 

Is this easy? Or even natural? No. We’ve heard people say, ”If I don’t look out for myself, who will?” So, it requires a willingness and determination to follow through on what Jesus instructed: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). This is one reason Paul wrote, “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). It’s an ongoing process, not a one-time event.

 

Much more than could be written about this; I wrestle with it more often than I’d like to admit. But one place to start is by heeding the challenge of Hebrews 12:2 – ”Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame….” Focusing on Him and not ourselves can be a beneficially humbling experience. 

Whatever Happened to Humility?

Jim Collins, in his classic business book, Good to Great, detailed a study he undertook to determine what differentiated great, exceptionally performing companies from merely good companies. Initially he instructed his researchers to exclude considerations of top leadership, reasoning it’s too easy to attribute corporate excellence to the CEOs.

As the study progressed, however, Collins and his team determined key leaders could not be ignored. Their contributions were indisputable. It was what the study discovered about the top executives of organizations that had transformed into “great companies” that proved most surprising.

Serving a god carved in our
own image can be daunting.

These CEOs were not ones that had labored to become celebrities, constantly making headlines or appearing on TV commercials promoting their companies and products – and themselves. Instead, great-company executives were characterized by “a paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will.”

Their self-effacing qualities were affirmed by people who knew them, according to Collins. “Those who worked with or wrote about the good-to-great leaders used words like quiet, humble, modest, reserved, shy, gracious, mild-mannered…,” he wrote.

Even though Good to Great was published in 2001, its findings seem extremely relevant for today as we scan the horizon of so-called “leaders.” Today, it’s the loud and proud, bold and brash, that capture media attention, whether they’re politicians, entertainers, athletes or business leaders. If the personal pronouns “I” and “me” were banished from our language, they might well find themselves tongue-tied.

Many men and women in the public eye seem quite fond of the refrain from the old country-western song, “Oh, Lord, it’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way!” They’re like a dignitary greeting guests with a handshake and the words, “It’s a pleasure for you to meet me.”

This shouldn’t come as a surprise, since it was predicted this nearly 2,000 years ago. In 2 Timothy 3:2 it states, “in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers….” But this doesn’t mean we should shrug our collective shoulders and resign ourselves to such self-centeredness among those who hold places of prominence in society, resolved to set the pace for our culture.

The Bible proposes a distinctively different model. In fact, we’re told that determined efforts at self-promotion often backfire. “A man’s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor” (Proverbs 29:23).

Other passages in Proverbs offer a stark contrast:

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).

“Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life” (Proverbs 22:4).

We find no better example of humble, others-oriented leadership in the Scriptures than Jesus Christ. On numerous occasions, after performing a miracle of healing, “Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it” (Mark 7:36). Another passage points to His selflessness: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

We can draw two conclusions from these and similar passages throughout the Bible. First, in choosing the types of leaders we should follow, whether at work, our communities, or in public office, we would be wise to select people in the good-to-great mold – those that exhibit fierce determination coupled with genuine personal humility.

Second, we would be well-advised to aspire to become people like that ourselves, in our homes, workplaces and everywhere in our unique spheres of influence. There is something attractive, even disarming, about someone not preoccupied with self. And since people like that seem in short supply, it’s a clear-cut way of standing out from the crowd.

A Great Quality You Can’t Be Proud to Have

If you were to single out one quality you most admire in other people, what would it be?

Determination? Intelligence? Charisma? Perseverance? Wisdom? Strength? Patience? Creativity? Enthusiasm? Compassion?

We'd probably like to have any of those qualities – especially those we don’t have now. You could list many others. But one quality receives almost universal admiration, yet it’s a trait you can’t be proud to have. Here’s a hint – we didn’t see much of it during the recent political campaigns:

Humility.

Think about it: In sports and entertainment, there’s so much “Look at me!” Isn’t it refreshing when someone displays a humble, even self-effacing attitude? A star player that credits his team for success rather than mugging for the camera or hogging the spotlight? A celebrity that doesn’t seem full of herself?

People that don't demand the
spotlight intrigue us.

In his acclaimed book, Good to Great, author Jim Collins conducted extensive research to determine why top companies excelled. Results could not ignore the role of the CEO, Collins reported. But the leaders of those organizations exhibited two common traits – great determination, and great humility. In most cases, rather than accepting credit for how their businesses excelled, they redirected praise to their staff and employees.

There’s something endearing about high achievers with an “aw, shucks” attitude. Many of us gladly accept recognition for even small accomplishments. But in an time when people become famous simply for being famous, the person exhibiting genuine humility is an anomaly.

Did you hear the story about the service club member that received the award for having the most humility? They took back the award when he put it on display.

Humility and its antithesis, pride, can be traced to earliest recorded history. You could say the scriptural account of “the Fall of Man” resulted from a lack of humility – the desire of Adam and Eve to be gods of their own lives, rather than submit to their Creator.

One of my favorite books in the Bible, Proverbs, says much about humility and pride:

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).

“Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor” (Proverbs 18:12).

“Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life” (Proverbs 22:4).

“The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but a man is tested by the praise he receives” (Proverbs 27:21).

Of course, the greatest biblical example of humility is Jesus. Despite being God incarnate, He was born in the humblest of circumstances, dispensed with the luxuries of His time, relied on the kindness of people that followed Him, and willingly gave His own life for the sins of mankind. “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even dead on a cross”  (Philippians 2:8).

What should Jesus expect of those claiming to be His followers? It’s simple: Pursue and practice humility. “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:10).

Whether you’re a Tim Tebow or a Norm Nobody, there’s something about humility that God finds very attractive.