The word ‘humility’ is first used in Proverbs 15:33 which says, “The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and BEFORE HONOUR IS HUMILITY.”  Humility is defined as ‘condescension, human and subjective (modesty), or divine and objective (clemency):—gentleness, humility, meekness.”  Before we can be used of the Lord, we must be humble. 

As servants of the Lord, we are instructed to be:

• GENTLE – “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient.” (2 Timothy 2:24).
• HUMBLE – “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (James 4:10).
• MEEK – “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5).

At the same time, we see these characteristics describe our Lord Jesus:

• HE IS GENTLE – “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” (Matthew 21:5-NIV).
• HE IS HUMBLE – “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:8).
• HE IS MEEK – “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.” (Matthew 11:29).

At this point, I can truly say that if you desire to be more humble, seek to be more like the Lord Jesus.  Gentleness, meekness, and humility are characteristics of our savior and of the humble heart of a believer.  We read in 1 Peter 2:21, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that YE SHOULD FOLLOW HIS STEPS.”

The Bible instructs us to humble ourselves which shows us that, as believers, we have the ability to be humble.

• Matthew 23:12, “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”
• James 4:10, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
• 1 Peter 5:6, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”

I certainly admire your desire to be more humble so that you might be a true servant of the Lord.  We see from Matthew 23:12 that humility and exaltation are polar opposites.  Humility means that we take the low place of being undeserving of God’s love and grace.  It means that we realize that we are nothing without the Lord.  It means we realize that only one is properly exalted…and that is God.  We read the words of a humble heart in Exodus 15:2, “The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” 

To be more humble, we must keep our focus on the Lord Jesus and realize only He is worthy to be exalted.  In His presence, we will surely find ourselves confessing our own sinfulness, weakness, and dependence upon Him.  This must be a daily practice because the flesh is always looking for ways to be exalted. We must also realize we are no better than anyone…not even those who are considered worthless by the world. 

Romans 12:3 says, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, NOT TO THINK OF HIMSELF MORE HIGHLY THAT HE OUGHT TO THINK; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”

Philippians 2:3 says, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind LET EACH ESTEEM OTHER BETTER THAN THEMSELVES.”

Pride is the enemy of humility.  There is simply no room for pride in the believer.  Proverbs 29:23 tells us, “A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.”  (CC)  (583.4)