Proverbs 29.23
“One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.”
The verse tells us that the humble spirit will obtain honor. Humble is the word shaphal, which means “to be lower.” Because this is the word for humility, and because humility is a cardinal virtue in the Christian life, it is very important to understand what it means to “be lower” and “be humble.” It’s also important to understand what it does not mean.
Humility does not mean weakness or meekness. It does not mean being docile, passive, or soft. It does not mean being a pushover.
What it does mean is not having an inflated or exaggerated view of yourself. As Paul says in Romans, don’t think more highly of yourself than you should. It is recognizing who God is and then placing yourself in right position to Him … which means lower than Him. It means submitting yourself — putting yourself under — the Lord’s authority and truth.
It also means not elevating yourself above others. Here is how I translate the biblical principle of humility: “A right perspective of yourself in relationship to God and others.” Humility is awareness. It is recognizing who you are and your gifts and abilities (self-awareness), and it is recognizing how you fit into a given situation or set of circumstances (situational awareness).
An airline pilot isn’t “humble” if he abandons the cockpit “in the spirit of humility.” Nor is the surgeon “humble” if she turns away from the patient on the operating because the doctor is smitten with a sense of humility.
Humility also has to do with your motives. Is your intent to dominate others, or to support others? Is your intent to serve or be served? Is your motive to elevate yourself, or build up other people?
Rather than being weak or passive, the biblical virtue of humility actually means strength under control. God has given us great power to wield here on earth, but if that power is not submissive to God’s authority, it’s impact can be disastrous. A humble person recognizes that whatever power and authority he has is a gift from God and is to be used in obedience to His truth and guidance.
True, eternal honor is the reward for humbling ourselves beneath the mighty hand of God our Father.
Beware the dangers of arrogance. Don’t believe everything you think. Don’t get caught in the gravitational pull of self-centeredness. Arrogance distorts. Arrogance deceives. Arrogance destroys.
“Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.” (Proverbs 16.5)
“Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.” (Proverbs 18.12)
