The Secret of Humility

Humble, not Proud

Paul J. Bucknell

If we know the secret of humility, we will be able to joyfully grow. When our path enters suffering, we will be able to accept it. When touched with suffering, we will not doubt God's genuine care for us.

The scriptures speak so clearly of this principle.

Humility is the path of growth; it is the beginning of life. A person is born helpless; this is when he can grow. Once he is big, he does not grow. It is the little child that Jesus told us to imitate, not the adult (Matthew 18:3).

"Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven."

Jesus again spoke of entering the kingdom in Matthew 5:3,

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Circumstances in life are designed to humble us, not crush us. They are experiences that shape us so that we may live life to the fullest. We view such experiences as threats to our success, but they are actually the path to true success.

Let's take the example of the student. If he thinks himself knowledgeable, then he will learn very little. He has no eagerness to accept new knowledge. He treats knowledge like a satiated man standing at a buffet. It is interesting because it tantalizes him. However, he doesn't want or need it. The humble man is not so. He is there to learn. He rightly discerns his need for knowledge and understanding.

"When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom." Proverbs 11:2

The Lord calls for us to humble ourselves before God purposely. If we humble ourselves, then we need to go through less difficult circumstances to shapen our lives.

"I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, but he who humbles himself shall be exalted." Luke 18:14

With this secret in our minds, we will take a whole different look upon leadership, servanthood, temptation, discipleship, etc. It seems there is no worthy discussion that humility is not part of. The world cannot understand it; the Christian barely comprehends it.

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John, the Baptist, discerned it quite well. He encapsulated this secret in just a few words saying in John 3:30, "He must increase, but I must decrease."

God illustrates this truth in nature all around us. We are literally surrounded by the humbling principle, but the world is unaware of it. Just think how the leaves must drop and strip the trees of their glory. Seeds need to descend from their lofty and glorious setting only to be miserably buried in the mud. It is only then that new life becomes evident.

We have a winter of souls, too. God's humbling of our souls is part of His good plan for our lives, not some extraneous interruption that must be avoided at all costs. Times of reflection are important to good productivity.

Let's see how Jesus modeled this for us.

Next => The Secret of Humility

Humble, not Proud: A Biblical series on Humility
Being Humble, not Prideful	The Pattern of Humility	Moses & Humility
The Secret of Humility	Kinds of Humility	Pride replaced with Humility
The Suffering Servant	Jesus, Pioneer of Humility	Humility in Ministry
Suffering and Humility	Humility and Leadership	Steps towards Humility
Humility and Rewards	Dying to Self	Testimonies on Humility
Pure Heart, Not Divided	Righteousness, not Compromise	Grace and Graciousness
Love, Not Lust	Truth, Not Deception	Faith and Faithfulness
Waiting Upon God, Not Man	Goodness and Contentment	Fear God, Fear not Man
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