The Power of Humility

Psalm 139:23-24 [NLT], Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me... 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. 

Humility means; "to be lowly in heart, to bow low, to be willing to stoop to any measure that is needed."

God expects us to...

• Seek humility – Zephaniah 2:3
• Humble ourselves – James 4:10
• Be clothed with humility – 1 Peter 5:5
• Show humility to all men – Titus 3:2
• Serve the Lord with all humility – Acts 20:19

God will...

• Not forget them – Psalms 10:12
• Not forget their prayers – Psalms 9:12
• Hear their desires – Psalms 10:17
• Teach them His ways – Psalms 25:9
• Crown them with victory – Psalms 149:4

Humility releases... 

• Guidance – Psalms 25:9
• Honor, riches and life – Proverbs 22:4
• Salvation – Psalms 149:4
• An increase of joy – Isaiah 29:19
• Wisdom – Proverbs 11:2
• Grace – Proverbs 3:34
• Revival – Isaiah 57:15

Humility allows us to be...

• Lifted up – Psalms 147:6
• Exalted – Matthew 23:12
• Great in the kingdom – Matthew 18:4
• Dwell with Him – Isaiah 57:15

PRIDE!

Pride means; "an unwarranted and excessive opinion of one's own abilities, superiority and quality."

God's thoughts on pride...

• It's sin – Proverbs 21:4
• An abomination – Proverbs 16:5
• Hates it – Proverbs 6:13

God will...

• Resist/oppose them – James 4:6
• Not respect them – Psalms 40:4

Will experience...    

• Shame – Proverbs 11:2
• Strife – Proverbs 13:10
• Dishonor – Isaiah 23:19
• Deception – Obadiah 3
• Destruction in their home – Proverbs 15:25
• Frustration & confusion – James 4:6
• Destruction & failure – Proverbs 16:18
• Stumbling – Jeremiah 50:32

God will...

• Brought low – Proverbs 29:23
• Humbled – Matthew 23:12
• Remain at a distance – Psalms 138:6                                                                    

1 Samuel 25:6-8 [NLT], "Peace and prosperity to you, your family, and everything you own! 7 I am told that it is sheep-shearing time.  While your shepherds stayed among us near Carmel, we never harmed them, and nothing was ever stolen from them. 8 Ask your own men, and they will tell you this is true.  So would you be kind to us, since we have come at a time of celebration?  Please share any provisions you might have on hand with us and with your friend David."

1 Samuel 25:10-11 [NLT],  "Who is this fellow David?"  Nabal sneered to the young men.  "Who does this son of Jesse think he is?  There are lots of servants these days who run away from their masters. 11 Should I take MY bread and MY water and MY meat that I'VE slaughtered for MY shearers and give it to a band of outlaws who come from who knows where?"

1 Samuel 25:14-17 [NLT], Meanwhile, one of Nabal's servants went to Abigail and told her, "David sent messengers from the wilderness to greet our master, but he screamed insults at them. 15 These men have been very good to us, and we never suffered any harm from them.  Nothing was taken from us the whole time they were with us. 16 In fact, day and night they were like a wall of protection to us and the sheep. 17 You need to know this and figure out what to do, for there is going to be trouble for our master and his whole family.  He's so ill-tempered that no one can even talk to him!"

1 Samuel 25:23-28 [NLT], When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed low before him. 24 She fell at his feet and said, "I accept all the blame in this matter, my lord.  Please listen to what I have to say. 25 I know Nabal is a wicked and I'll-tempered man; please don't pay any attention to him.  He is a fool, just as his name suggests.  But I never even saw the young men you sent. ...27 And here is a present that I, your servant, have brought to you and your young men. 28 Please forgive me if I have offended you in any way.

1 Samuel 25:32-35 [NLT], David replied to Abigail, "Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you to meet me today! 33 Thank God for your good sense!  Bless you for keeping me from murder and from carrying out vengeance with my own hands. 34 For I swear by the Lord, the God of Israel, who has kept me from hurting you, that if you had not hurried out to meet me, not one of Nabal's men would still be alive tomorrow morning." 35 Then David accepted her present and told her, "Return home in peace.  I have heard what you said.  We will not kill your husband." 

1.  Self-Centered 

"A person who is wrestling with pride feeds off of a desire to be served, to be right, to be noticed and to have their wishes catered to."  

Philippians 2:3-4 [NLT], Don't be selfish, don't try to impress others.  Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

"True humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less."  C.S. Lewis

2.  Defensive

"A person who is wrestling with pride will become defensive when they are criticized, corrected or challenged."

"True humility isn't knocked off course and thrown into a defensive posture by a challenge or rebuke."  

Proverbs 12:1 [NLT], To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.

3.  Opinionated

"A person who is wrestling with Pride will have a hard time keeping their thoughts to themselves."

James 1:19 [NIV], My dear brothers, take note of this:  Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

4.  Demanding

"A person who is wrestling with Pride will have a sense of entitlement."