To me, the most puzzling virtue in the Bible is humility. I have spent many moments trying to figure out exactly what it is. I want to have it, but isn’t wanting to be humble the opposite of actually being humble? It’s all so confusing.
Whatever it is, God’s Word makes it pretty clear that we need it. The word “humble” is mentioned 93 times. “Humility” is mentioned 14 times. Those figures may vary a little depending on translation, but you get the idea. It’s a big deal.
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Scripture teases us here and there with references to the quality. Proverbs 22:4 says, “Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.” In Philippians Paul writes, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” (2:3).
Okay, so we know what it looks like when we see it in others, right? But how do we acquire it for ourselves? Is it even appropriate to want it?
‘Last to know’
There’s an old saying that goes, “Once you are sure you have achieved true humility, you’ve lost it.” Show me someone who proclaims, “I am a humble person,” and I’ll show you someone who is not.
Could it be that humility is simply a natural by-product of living a godly life? Colossians 3:12 says, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
So I guess if we really work on being compassionate, kind, gentle and patient, humility might come as kind of a free bonus! Sort of like getting a free drink with your combo meal.
Yeah, bad analogy. Besides, you can take hold of your drink and enjoy having it.
When I tell the truly selfless people in my life they are humble, they seem surprised. They don’t even know they’re humble. They don’t think of themselves that way. Their reaction is so — well — humble.
I suppose the answer is, we should travel our journey through life, living the best Christian lifestyle we can; try our hardest to love and serve; keep our eyes on Jesus and His will and purpose for us. And perhaps, somehow, somewhere along the way, humility will quietly seep into us.
But we’ll probably be the last to know.
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