Humble by Nature

What does it mean to be humble? What does it mean to be arrogant? Interestingly enough each word is the opposite of the same coin. Meaning that they are each a character trait that defines a person in spirit. It is the difference in wisdom and a cavalier disposition; it is the difference in those who learn and those who think they are above learning. So if we were to take each and apply them to ourselves, which character trait do you believe will help you progress in your life? Well, let us take a look at humble first; the definition of humble is;

Humble: having or showing a modest or low estimate of one's own importance.

Synonyms: meek, deferential, respectful, submissive, diffident, self-effacing, and unassertive

Now some may say "low estimate of one's own importance or being submissive" sounds a lot like low-self-esteem, so for the ones with questions, let us look at the psychology of:

low self-esteem: When you have low self-esteem, you put little value on your opinions and ideas.(How you feel about yourself)

What does the bible say about low self-esteem?

Psalm 139:14(KJV)

14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Exodus 4:10-12 (KJV)

10 And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

11 And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord?

12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

There is quite a difference in being humble and having low self-esteem, many people focus on the qualities that they don't have, rather than the qualities that we have been blessed with. If we were to take our mind off of ourselves and focus on appreciating the simplicity of life, perhaps we would choose to realize most of what we stress about are trivial compared to the miracles and the natural beauty that are around us. Life becomes complicated when the focus is on insignificance when the bible says...

This is what you do:

James 4:1-3

4 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss(improperly), that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

James 4:14(KJV)

14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

If we would learn to take more notice of The Most High who created us, the fact that we are alive, breathing and able to see, feel, walk, touch and hear, when so many cannot! There is a lot to be thankful for! This is the understanding that gives people a humbling spirit. When you are humble you recognize that the world does not revolve around you, but the world revolves because of The Most High and what He has created in it for His glory.....all life! You have no need to feel inadequate when you realize how Yah feels about us when He first breathed life into our nostrils!

Job 12:7-10(KJV)

7 But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:

8 Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.

9 Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought(formed)this?

10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.

We are all one spirit with Yah when we choose Him above all else!

What does the bible say about being humble?

Proverbs 22:4 (KJV)

4 By humility and the fear(reverence, respect) of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.

Luke 9:48 (KJV)

48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.

How we feel about ourselves is a direct representation on how we feel about Yah. If our focus is not Yah, we focus on ourselves, things of this world, the inadequacies of our life, the flaws of our flesh; we are out of touch with our spiritual selves. If our focus is Yah, he will take away our inadequacies, fleshly motivations and through Him we will embrace everything that is beautiful in us that He created…HalleluYah!  If we understood and have reverence/respect for Him we could not do anything that does not represent His spirit in our life, it would be dishonorable, and this includes staying true to what He expects of us according to His word. Why do you think there is so much chaos in the world today? There is no reverence to The Most High, His laws and commandments are dead to this world and the world reflects that lawlessness!

Micah 6:8King (KJV)

8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

As I said earlier, I mentioned arrogant as the flip side of the coin to being humble.

The definition of arrogant is:

Having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities.

synonyms: haughty, conceited, self-important, egotistic, full of oneself, superior;

I don't believe very many people care much for someone who exhibits these character traits, I would think they would be pretty annoying to be around or at the very least barely tolerable.

What does the bible say about being arrogant?

Romans 12:3 (KJV)

 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

1 Samuel 2:3 (KJV)

Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let [not] arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD [is] a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

Proverbs 6:16-19 These six things doth the LORD hate: Yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud(arrogant) look, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, Feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren.

Arrogance can lead one down many a path of destructive consequences, you cannot learn from your mistakes, if you feel you did not make any. You cannot accept positive criticism, if you feel you're above being criticized. You cannot reflect on your faults, if you feel you have none. You feel you are an island and you are the wiser for it!

If this is a trait you have, according to the above description, I doubt you will recognize it in yourself, this is arrogance.

However, if you are at the place in your life for change, it is a good time to modify yourself into being more humble. After all, it will make you a more likable person and a small attitude change is preferable to someone who is considered an abomination to The Most High.

Evaluating yourself isn’t often an easy thing to do, the mistakes, attitude, and growth in one's life comes with an honest look in the mirror, especially if you are unhappy and life is not going in the positive direction you would like it to go. There is a cause and effect to how a person chooses to live life. Sometimes how you treat others and the generosity you display towards others is a big factor in the blessings and the lack of good things that happen to you. 

I assure you if you are mean-spirited, selfish and arrogant in your ways, eventually there is a huge price to be paid because of it. How we live out our life good or bad is a choice we make!

We must work hard at learning to be humble, it is not an easy thing, and it comes from a conscious effort to want to change for the better, spiritually and personally. It is a conscious effort to judge yourself before you make judgment on someone else and finally it is a conscious effort to examine and reflect on one’s own conduct and attitude first!

Change will happen, one person at a time until the few become the many.....

James 4:10

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.