10 Principles of Godly Living Message 6

10 Principles of Godly Living

Message 6

Humility

It’s Hard to Be Humble

a. Do you remember that song?

i. Sung by Mac Davis

ii. Released in 1974

iii. That song was outlandish you couldn’t help but like it.

b. Here’s the lyrics.

i. Oh Lord it's hard to be humble

When you're perfect in every way

I can't wait to look in the mirror

Cause I get better looking each day

To know me is to love me

I must be a hell of a man

Oh Lord It's hard to be humble,

But I'm doing the best that I can

I used to have a girlfriend,

But I guess she just couldn't compete,

With all of these love-starved women,

Who keep cowering at my feet

Oh I probably could find me another,

But I guess they're all in awe of me

Who cares?

I never get lonesome

Cause I treasure my own company

c. Obviously, that is not what God wants for our lives.

i. Pride the opposite of humility and can creep into our lives many ways.

ii. The bible even tells us that God resist the proud.

James 4:6 (NKJV) — 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:6 NKJV

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

Who are the proud?

a. It’s a combination of attitudes, behaviors, and characteristics.

Arrogance

Self-Centeredness

Lack of Empathy

looking down on others.

Unwillingness to Admit Mistakes

Competitiveness

Need for Validation

Boasting

Intolerance of Differences

b. Not all pride is negative.

i. Agree with that statement?

ii. We need a healthy level of self-esteem.

1. I am created in the image of God.

iii. Pride in one’s achievements.

1. I’m proud of you!

c. We need to find the balance.

God's Grace for the Humble

God gives more grace!

i. James 4:6 (NIV) — 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

James 4:6 NIV

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

ii. Here we have a profound truth.

iii. God gives more grace. (We will talk about that in a second)

iv. But there is a catch.

v. A condition that must be meet.

Humility

God's Abundant Grace

i. First and foremost, we must understand that God's grace is abundant and boundless.

ii. It's a gift freely given to us.

iii. Not because we deserve it.

1. But because of His unconditional love.

2. And his forgiving mercy.

iv. This grace is what sustains us.

v. This grace is what forgives our sins.

vi. This grace is what offers us a fresh start every day.

The Battle Against Pride

i. On the flip side, pride is a relentless adversary.

ii. It creeps into our hearts.

1. Causing us to exalt ourselves above God. i.e., Satan

2. Causing us to look down on others.

iii. It blinds us to our own imperfections.

iv. Leads us down a path of self-reliance.

v. God opposes, resists, the proud.

vi. This isn’t a place you want to be.

1. If God opposes you then you stand alone.

2. You are on your own when the storms of life come at us.

The Humble Heart

i. Thankfully, James offers us a solution.

ii. Humility

iii. Humility isn't about thinking less of ourselves but thinking of ourselves less.

iv. It's recognizing that every good thing in our lives comes from God's hand.

1. Not our own efforts.

v. A humble heart admits it’s need for a savior.

vi. A humble heart surrender their will to God’s will.

God's Favor for the Humble

i. When we humble ourselves before God, something wonderful happens.

1. Something powerful.

ii. God extends His favor toward us.

iii. He lifts us up in His perfect timing and covers us with His grace.

iv. God doesn't just forgive our sins; He lavishes us with His love, guidance, and abundant provision.

What does it mean to be humble?

a. Humility is a virtue.

i. State of mind.

ii. To be humble means to have a modest and unpretentious view of oneself and one's abilities.

b. Some key qualities and behaviors.

Self-Awareness

1. Humble people have a realistic view of their strengths and weaknesses. Also our limitations.

Modesty

1. Humble people do not seek to draw attention to themselves or engage in excessive self-promotion.

Openness to Learning

Respect for Others

Gratitude

Putting Others First

Humble is not weak.

a. It’s about balance.

i. Accurate self-perception

ii. But also treating others with kindness.

iii. Philippians 2:3–4 (NIV) — 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:3–4 NLT

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

The secret sauce.

i. Love God

ii. Love others

iii. Prayer

iv. Study the word!

v. Forgiveness

vi. Humility

c. Humble yourselves before the Lord.

i. Matthew 23:12 (NLT) — 12 But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Matthew 23:12 NLT

But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.