The Necessity of Humility

Thursday, May 09, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.”

John 3:27–30

For several years, John the Baptist was the most popular and influential preacher in the nation of Israel. People flocked from the cities out into the wilderness to see and hear him. Many believed his message that the Messiah was coming and they needed to repent. But after John baptized Jesus and the Lord began His public ministry, John’s following withered away. John did not regard this diminishing of his crowds as a failure or a lack of God’s favor, but as a necessary part of God’s plan.

F. B. Meyer wrote, “I used to think that God’s gifts were on shelves one above the other; and that the taller we grew in Christian character the easier we could reach them. I now find that God’s gifts are on shelves one beneath the other; and that it is not a question of growing taller but of stooping lower; and that we have to go down, always down, to get His best gifts.”

Our society pushes self-promotion and pride as not just acceptable but necessary for advancement in the world and achieving great things. But God views humility as one of the most important characteristics of greatness. Jesus said, “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted” (Matthew 23:11–12). We do not advance ourselves in God’s eyes by putting ourselves forward, but by humbling ourselves and serving others.

Today's Growth Principle: 

Focusing on God’s glory rather than our own fits us for effective service for Him.