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Cultivating Humility and Dependence on God in Decision Making

Cultivating humility and dependence on God in decision-making is a central theme in Christian thought, rooted in numerous biblical passages and expounded upon by various theological traditions. Humility is presented as a necessary characteristic for serving God [1], a prominent Christian grace [2], and a state of mind pleasing to God [2].

The biblical concept of humility involves not thinking more highly of oneself than one ought, but rather thinking with sound judgment, recognizing God's allotment of faith to each individual [4]. It is a submission to and dependence on God [9], counteracting delusions of self-sufficiency [12]. This posture is contrasted with pride, which God opposes, while He gives grace to the humble [5]. The fear of the Lord is identified as a foundation for humility, as it fosters a proper regard for God that challenges human self-sufficiency [12]. Reverence for God is also seen as the basis for worthwhile words and useful activities [13].

Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example of humility [1, 2]. His humility was evident in His willingness to take on human nature [3], His birth in humble circumstances [3], His subjection to His parents [3], His modest station in life [3], and His poverty [3]. He partook in human infirmities [3], submitted to ordinances like baptism [3], and became a servant [3]. Christ associated with the despised [3], refused worldly honors [3], and demonstrated humility even in His triumphal entry into Jerusalem [3]. His washing of the disciples' feet further illustrates His humble service [3]. Jesus Himself declared His humility, inviting others to learn from Him, saying, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:29) [1, 3].

Humility is not merely a passive state but an active submission to God's will and providence. Matthew Henry, commenting on Psalm 127:1, emphasizes the need for a continual regard to divine Providence in all life's concerns. He suggests that even a wise person like Solomon needed instruction to look beyond his own understanding and to involve God in his undertakings [10]. This perspective highlights that dependence on God is crucial for managing one's affairs under the direction of one's faith [10]. Similarly, Henry's commentary on Proverbs 3:7 exhorts believers to live in humble and dutiful subjection to God's government, fearing the Lord as sovereign. He warns that conceitedness of one's own wisdom is a significant enemy to the power of religion and the fear of God in the heart, as those who are self-sufficient may deem it beneath them to submit to divine will [11].

The cultivation of humility and dependence on God has several significant outcomes for believers. It is a state of mind that preserves the soul in tranquility and enables patience under trials [2]. The humble are regarded by God [1], heard by God [1], and enjoy His presence [1]. God delivers the humble [1], lifts them up [1], and exalts them [1]. In Christ's kingdom, the humble are considered the greatest [1]. Furthermore, humility leads to receiving more grace [1, 5], upholding honor [1], and is a prerequisite for honor itself [1]. The Bible promises that the greatest blessings are made to the humble [2]. As James 4:10 states, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up" [1]. This humbling is understood as recognizing God's presence in all ways, which serves as a powerful incentive to humility [14]. It is likened to a tree needing to strike its roots deep to grow upwards, signifying that for humans to be exalted, their minds must be deeply rooted in humility [14].

Dependence on God also involves diligence and decision in one's spiritual walk. Diligence is required in seeking God, obeying Him, hearkening to Him, striving for perfection, and cultivating Christian graces [8]. It also extends to guarding against defilement, seeking to be found spotless, and making one's calling and election sure [8]. Decision, too, is necessary for serving God [7]. This includes seeking God wholeheartedly, keeping His commandments, being on the Lord's side, following God fully, and loving Him perfectly [7]. Such decision is contrasted with a divided service, double-mindedness, or wavering between opinions [7].

The Christian life, therefore, calls for a continuous posture of humility and reliance on God in all decisions. This is not a weakness but a strength, as it aligns the individual with God's will and opens the door to His grace and exaltation [6, 14]. The example of Christ and the consistent teaching of Scripture underscore that true wisdom and effective service flow from a heart that acknowledges its dependence on the Creator [10, 11].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Humility — A prominent Christian grace (Rom. 12:3; 15:17, 18; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; 2 Cor. 3:5; Phil. 4:11-13). It is a state of mind well pleasing to God (1 Pet. 3:4); it preserves the soul in tranquillity (Ps. 69:32, 33), and makes us patient under trials (Job 1:22). Christ has set us an example of humility (Phil. 2:6-8). We should be led thereto by a remembrance of our sins (Lam. 3:39), and by the thought that it is the way to honour (Prov. 16:18), and that the greatest promises are made to the humble (Ps. 147:6; Isa. 57:15; 66:2; 1 Pet. 5:5). It is a "great paradox in Ch”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility of Christ, The — Declared by himself -- Mt 11:29. Exhibited in his Taking our nature. -- Php 2:7; Heb 2:16. Birth. -- Lu 2:4-7. Subjection to his parents. -- Lu 2:51. Station in life. -- Mt 13:55; Joh 9:29. Poverty. -- Lu 9:58; 2Co 8:9. Partaking of our infirmities. -- Heb 4:15; 5:7. Submitting to ordinances. -- Mt 3:13-15. Becoming a servant. -- Mt 20:28; Lu 22:27; Php 2:7. Associating with the despised. -- Mt 9:10,11; Lu 15:1,2. Refusing honours. -- Joh 5:41; 6:15. Entry into Jerusalem. -- Zec 9:9; Mt 21:5,7. Washing his disciples' feet. -- Joh 13:5. Obedi”
  4. Romans “Romans 12:3 (NASB) — For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.”
  5. I Peter “I Peter 5:5 (LITV) — Likewise, younger ones be subject to older ones; and all being subject to one another. Put on humility, because God sets Himself "against proud ones, but He gives grace to humble ones." Prov. 3:34”
  6. I Peter “I Peter 5:6 (Geneva1599) — Humble your selues therefore vnder the mightie hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Decision — Necessary to the service of God -- Lu 9:62. Exhortations to -- Jos 24:14,15. Exhibited in Seeking God with the heart. -- 2Ch 15:12. Keeping the commandments of God. -- Ne 10:29. Being on the Lord's side. -- Ex 32:26. Following God fully. -- Nu 14:24; 32:12; Jos 14:8. Serving God. -- Isa 56:6. Loving God perfectly. -- De 6:5. Blessedness of. -- Jos 1:7. Opposed to A divided service. -- Mt 6:24. Double-mindedness. -- Jas 1:8. Halting between two opinions. -- 1Ki 18:21. Turning to the right or left. -- De 5:32. Not setting the heart aright. -- Ps 78:8,37. Exe”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
  9. Zephaniah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Zephaniah 2:3: 2:3 all who are humble: True humility involves submission to and dependence on God (Pss 18:25-27; 119:142-144; Prov 15:33; 18:12; 22:4).”
  10. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 127:1: We are here taught to have a continual regard to the divine Providence in all the concerns of this life. Solomon was cried up for a wise man, and would be apt to lean to his own understanding and forecast, and therefore his father teaches him to look higher, and to take God along with him in his undertakings. He was to be a man of business, and therefore David instructed him how to manage his business under the direction of his religion. Parents, in teaching their children, should suit their exhortations to their condition and occasions. We must have an eye to Go”
  11. Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 3:7: We have here before us three exhortations, each of them enforced with a good reason: - I. We must live in a humble and dutiful subjection to God and his government (Pro 3:7): "Fear the Lord, as your sovereign Lord and Master; be ruled in every thing by your religion and subject to the divine will." This must be, 1. A humble subjection: Be not wise in thy own eyes. Note, There is not a greater enemy to the power of religion, and the fear of God in the heart, than conceitedness of our own wisdom. Those that have an opinion of their own sufficiency think it below t”
  12. Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 15:33: 15:33 Fear of the Lord fosters humility because proper regard for God counteracts our delusions of self-sufficiency.”
  13. Ecclesiastes (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ecclesiastes 5:7: 5:7 Fear God: Reverence for God is the foundation for worthwhile words and useful activities (see 12:1; Prov 1:7).”
  14. James (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on James 4:10: in the sight of the Lord--as continually in the presence of Him who alone is worthy to be exalted: recognizing His presence in all your ways, the truest incentive to humility. The tree, to grow upwards, must strike its roots deep downwards; so man, to be exalted, must have his mind deep-rooted in humility. In Pe1 5:6, it is, Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, namely, in His dealings of Providence: a distinct thought from that here. lift you up--in part in this world, fully in the world to come.”
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