A Deeper Look at Humility
“Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:” Phil. 2:4-9
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Mt. 11:28-29
No sooner did I get on my knees one morning sensing something was amiss and that I needed to hear from the Lord did He speak clearly to me to go to Philippians 2:4-9. As much as I love and study God’s Word, I rarely remember where scriptures are so I had no idea what to expect. Within minutes of landing where God wanted me, the Spirit of God showed me something I had never seen no matter how many times I had seen the verses. Then He led me to Matthew 11:28-29 and made abundantly clear God’s message to me – and to others who would hear.
What does God’s Word tell us in Philippians 2:4-9? To be humble like Jesus, right? What does Jesus tell us in Matthew 11:28-29 about His humility? It’s all about humility, isn’t it? We should lower ourselves and be meek and lowly like Jesus, correct? God despises pride as He makes clear throughout His Word. But wait a minute. God is saying something else here I had entirely missed. “Let this MIND be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” “…for I am meek and lowly IN HEART.” (upper case added). The Greek word translated into heart also means thoughts and feelings, per the concordance. God doesn’t want us to just ACT humbly. He doesn’t want just an outward appearance of humility through actions we take. He wants us TO THINK and TO FEEL humble in our hearts and minds – and TO ACT humbly. He wants us to have HEARTS OF HUMILITY. Just like Jesus.
It’s one thing TO ACT humbly before God and before others. It’s another thing TO THINK and TO FEEL meekly and lowly like Jesus. To have hearts filled with humility rather than pride.
Do you have a humble heart? I am working daily on mine as the Holy Spirit teaches me and conforms me to be more like Christ day by day. Let Him do the same with you! Be humble in your heart!