Jesus is our perfect example of humility

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” ‬‬‭‭- Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV

What else does the Bible say about humility?

Psalm 25:9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. 

James 4:6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 

James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. 

1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 

‭‭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.””

1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Philippians 2:8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 

Proverbs 3:34 Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor. 

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭19‬ ‭ESV “It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.”

‬Proverbs 25:6-7 Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great, for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen 

Proverbs 27:2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. 

Matthew 18:4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

James 3:13-18  Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭8:3‬ ‭ESV‬‬ “And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭18:14‬ ‭ESV‬‬ “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Micah‬ ‭6:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬ “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

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Pride, Arrogance, and Haughtiness

The opposite of “humility” is “pride”, “arrogance”, and “haughtiness”. See what the Bible says about pride and arrogance.

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬ “Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.”

James 4:6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭18‬ ‭ESV‬‬ “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Proverbs 15:25 “The Lord tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow’s boundaries.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬ “Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.”

Quotes from other authors on the topic of humility and pride

Imitation of Christ, Thomas á Kempis (1380-1471 AD, German monk)

“He is truly great who deemeth himself small, and counteth all height of honour as nothing. He is the truly wise man, who counteth all earthly things as dung that he may win Christ. And he is the truly learned man, who doeth the will of God, and forsaketh his own will.” Pg 8, Imitation of Christ, Thomas á Kempis

“That is the highest and most profitable lesson, when a man truly knoweth and judgeth lowly of himself. To account nothing of one’s self, and to think always kindly and highly of others, this is great and perfect wisdom. Even shouldest thou see thy neighbor sin openly or grievously, yet thou oughtest not to reckon thyself better than he, for thou knowest not how long thou shalt keep thine integrity. All of us are weak and frail; hold thou no man more frail than thyself.” pg 5 Imitation of Christ, Thomas á Kempis

Rest not upon thyself, but build thy hope in God. Do what lieth in thy power, and God will help thy good intent. Trust not in thy learning, nor in the cleverness of any that lives, but rather trust in the favour of God, who resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble. Pg.11 Imitation of Christ, Thomas á Kempis

Be not vain of thy skilfulness or ability, lest thou displease God, from whom cometh every good gift which we have.Pg.11 Imitation of Christ, Thomas á Kempis

Peace is ever with the humble man, but in the heart of the proud there is envy and continual wrath. Pg.11 Imitation of Christ, Thomas á Kempis

There are many things, too, which it is well to pass by with a deaf ear, thinking, instead, of what is more to your peace. It is more profitable to turn away from things which displease you and to leave to every man his own opinion than to take part in quarrelsome talk. If you stand well with God and look to His judgment, you will more easily bear being worsted. Pg. 91 Imitation of Christ, Thomas á Kempis

Before You, O Lord, no arts or riches, no beauty or strength, no wit or intelligence avail without grace. For the gifts of nature are common to good and bad alike, but the peculiar gift of Your elect is grace or love, and those who are signed with it are held worthy of everlasting life. So excellent is this grace that without it no gift of prophecy or of miracles, no meditation be it ever so exalted, can be considered anything. Not even faith or hope or other virtues are acceptable to You without charity and grace. Pg. 107 Imitation of Christ, Thomas á Kempis