Humility and Honor

By Brittany Vasquez

When you think of the word humility, or a person who is humble, what comes to mind? I think of someone who is gentle in nature yet certain of themselves. A humble person is one who is not
boisterous in talk or their demeanor. In saying, God’s word shows wisdom in that; “A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.” (Proverbs 17:27) When speaking of a humble individual, this is someone who diverts attention away from themselves. This individual is often very understanding at heart towards other people, they think of others easily and generally are not easily or strongly offended because of the factor.

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.”

-C.S. Lewis-

Humility also is a word concept that is often misunderstood negatively. Many mistakenly believe that being humble is a sign of weakness with association of not being assertive. It is mislabeled a lack of confidence, insecure, having a loss of pride, self-respect or dignity. None of these are accurate representations of what humility really means. Instead, a humble person possesses confidence, that as a result, they seek to “self-actualize,” to participate in helping others develop and achieve one’s full potential.

More specifically on the discussion of humility, there is something to be said about humility towards one another and on the beauty of being humble before the Lord. When I sat, thought on, and looked over what humility looks like towards others, the reality was reconfirmed that there is always space to mature in this virtue. I want to list a series of attributes of humility and challenge you who are reading to be honest and self evaluate. While there may be some areas where you can testify of strength, I’m sure that likewise you will take notice of areas that have need to be strengthened.

Here are some attributes of a humble person brought out in question. This will give mind of what humility will look like towards others. Remember C.S. Lewis’ words, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself (thinking poorly), it’s thinking of yourself less” (in consideration of others). Evaluate yourself and see where you align: Do you listen considerately to others, listen to understand, or are you looking to turn conversation to being about yourself? Do you show appreciation and consideration towards the feelings and thoughts of others? Are you teachable and unafraid to ask for help, or do you assume that you know all things? Do you appreciate gleaning knowledge from the experiences of others and take opportunities to learn? Do you find gratitude or thankfulness in the present tense? Can you express thanks for the little things? Can you take criticism and feedback from others, actually hearing the thought behind? Can you acknowledge your limits and mistakes? Are you unafraid to be wrong? How well could you give an answer to the above questions? Even if many of these were strong suites for you, is there still space to grow?

I don’t know that on this side of heaven we can ever perfect humility in it’s fullness, but when I think of someone who was pure and right in the humility they walked in, I think of Jesus. Humility is marked by meekness and modesty in behavior, attitude, or spirit: not arrogant or prideful. To be modest is to be free from showiness, a modest person does not draw attention to self. To be meek is to be compliant, patient, long-suffering or submissive in disposition or nature. So humility, or a humble person is marked as one who is free from showiness, submissive, patient, long-suffering in nature. This is the example of Jesus. Jesus’s desire was not to be showy but to bring glory to the Father alone in all that He did, He was submissive and surrendered His will, He was long-suffering in enduring the Father’s plans even unto death on the cross, and in the end, Honor would be greatly bestowed. Honor is the beautiful detail. In reading the word of God, it became a prominent matter, honor befalls on the Humble. What also was prominent was that God is specially and so beautifully near to the humble person, the one who is submissive unto Him.

My hand made all these things, and so they all came into being. This is the Lord’s declaration. I will look favorably on this kind of person: one who is humble, submissive in spirit, and trembles at My word.

-Isaiah 66:2-

I love the scripture above because it is a beautiful illustration coming from the mouth of the Almighty Himself. In all of His magnificence as the Creator of creation, He looks down favorably on this
kind of person; the humble. God continues in His word to go on in saying that His dwelling place is indeed High and Holy existing in eternity, nevertheless, His befalling dwelling place yet still
remains with this one.

For the high and exalted One He who inhabits eternity, Whose name is Holy says this, “I dwell on the high and holy place, But also with the contrite and humble in spirit In order to revive the spirit of the humble And to revive the heart of the contrite [overcome with sorrow for sin]. –Isaiah 57:15-

This is encouragement my friend. In my final focus of walking humbly before God, the emphasis is encouragement. In the midst of situations and circumstances that may be highly unfavorable,
uncomforting, stressful, extremely challenging, physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally
taxing, (measured up especially to your own strength), God speaks that He is especially near in order to revive you! You need only to give way to what He would impart to you. “He leads the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.” (Psalms 25:9) Honor was bestowed greatly upon Jesus. God says at the name of Jesus every knee will bow.

“He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God highly honored him and gave him a name above all names, so that at the name of Jesus everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth might bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

-Philippians 2:8-11-

His word says also “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5) This world does not have to overcome you. “You are from God, children, and you have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) There is honor to be bestowed upon you who are trusting God, submitting, compliant, self-denying/self-sacrificing. While He can trust that you will honor His will and His way for you, His word says you will inherit the earth. You will not be overcome. God can entrust you; with meaningful and purposeful relationships, resources,
provision, favor, collaborations, profession, His spoken word over you (fully authoritative yet supporting ), increase, grace and joy added unto your soul to walk in and carry out the honorable call before you. I think about what honor looked like for Jesus and those are some thoughts I’m encouraged in. The beautiful part that you can know is, in the space of what may presently be long-suffering, Jesus was our example of what honor befalls when you surrender in saying, “God not my will, but yours be done.” God will exalt you meaning He will raise you to dignity, honor, and happiness.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.

-1 Peter 5:6-

Humility comes before honor. Remain humble before God and He will honor, establish, restore, confirm, strengthen, all in due time. (1 Peter 5:10) He will not fail you. He will look favorably on you and His dwelling is nigh unto you to revive you!

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