THE VALUE OF HUMILITY

300 Quotations for Preachers from the Puritans God Delights to Dwell with the Humble

Here is a wonder! God is on high; and yet the higher a man lifts himself up, the farther he is from God; and the lower a man humbles himself, the nearer he is to God. Of all souls, God delights most to dwell with the humble, for they do most prize and best improve his precious presence.

THOMAS BROOKS

300 Quotations for Preachers from the Puritans The Best Have Thought the Least of Themselves

The best of God’s children have abhorred themselves, like the spire of a steeple … the least at the highest.

THOMAS MANTON

In every way, this passage seems to be helping us to see the value and blessing of being a humble believer. Peter gives us four results of humility that help us to see that there is great value in humility for each of us:

1 Peter 5:5–7 ESV

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

1. Humility Brings Submission (5)

1 Peter 5:5 ESV

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

A. To Elders

B. To One Another

Proverbs 3:34 ESV

Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.

300 Quotations for Preachers Self-Righteousness in Holding Doctrines

I am afraid there are Calvinists, who, while they account it a proof of their humility that they are willing in words to debase the creature, and to give all the glory of salvation to the Lord, yet know not what manner of spirit they are of. Whatever it be that makes us trust in ourselves that we are comparatively wise or good, so as to treat those with contempt who do not subscribe to our doctrines, or follow our party, is a proof and fruit of a self-righteous spirit. Self-righteousness can feed upon doctrines, as well as upon works; and a man may have the heart of a Pharisee, while his head is stored with orthodox notions of the unworthiness of the creature and the riches of free grace.

JOHN NEWTON

2. Humility Obtains God’s Grace (5)

1 Peter 5:5 ESV

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

A. God resists the proud

Proverbs 3:34 ESV

Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.

B. God blesses the humble

Proverbs 3:34 ESV

Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.

Isaiah 57:15 ESV

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

3. Humility Leads to Christian Advancement (6)

1 Peter 5:6 ESV

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

A. Follow God First

A. Follow God First

B. Do things God’s Way

C. Wait of God’s Timing

4. Humility Overcomes Anxiety (7)

1 Peter 5:7 ESV

casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

A. Anxiety is not overcome humanly

A. Anxiety is not overcome humanly

B. Realize God’s Care for you

C. Cast your cares on the Lord

Philippians 4:4–7 ESV

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

CONCLUSION:

“We are not worthy to unloose the latchets of Jesus' shoes, because, if we do, we begin to say to ourselves, "What great folks are we; we have been allowed to loose the latchets of the Lord's sandals." If we do not tell somebody else about it with many an exultation, we at least tell ourselves about it, and feel that we are something after all, and ought to be held in no small repute.” ― Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Humility and How to Get It