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Practically Applying Humility in Daily Life Like Christ's Example

Humility, a prominent Christian grace, is a state of mind that is pleasing to God and is essential for Christian living [1]. It preserves the soul in tranquility, makes individuals patient under trials, and is considered a path to honor [1]. The concept of humility is deeply rooted in biblical teachings, with Christ himself serving as the ultimate example [1, 2].

Christ's Example of Humility

Jesus Christ's life provides the supreme pattern for humility [1, 2, 6]. He declared his own humility, stating, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:29) [3]. The apostle Paul appeals to believers "by the humility and gentleness of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:1) [8].

Christ's humility was demonstrated in numerous aspects of his earthly existence [3, 5]:

John Gill emphasizes that Christ is an example not in his miraculous or mediatorial work, but in his exercise of grace, including meekness and humility [14]. The Arabic version of Philippians 2:5 renders it, "let that humility be perceived in you," highlighting Christ as the "great pattern and exemplar of humility" [11].

Practical Application of Humility

Applying Christ's example of humility in daily life involves several key practices and attitudes:

1. Lowliness of Mind and Self-Assessment

Humility begins with a realistic and modest assessment of oneself. The apostle Paul exhorts believers, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5) [11]. This means cultivating "lowliness and meekness" [17]. It involves entertaining and expressing humble thoughts about oneself and holding others in high regard [17]. This perspective guards against pride, which often precedes destruction (Proverbs 16:18) [1]. Instead, humility leads to honor (Proverbs 15:33) [2].

2. Service to Others

Christ's life was characterized by service, even to the point of washing his disciples' feet (John 13:5) [3]. He explicitly stated, "I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you" (John 13:15) [14]. Practicing humility in daily life means adopting a servant's heart, ministering to others, and sharing with those in need (Matthew 20:28; Romans 12:13) [2, 6, 7]. This includes acts of hospitality and benevolence [7, 6].

3. Obedience and Submission

Christ's humility was profoundly demonstrated in his obedience to God's will, even to the point of death [3, 16]. Similarly, believers are called to humble themselves "under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time" (1 Peter 5:6) [9]. This involves submission to God's will in all circumstances, including adverse dispensations of Providence [17]. Josephus, an ancient historian, noted that a virtuous life involves contemplating God's operations and imitating the divine pattern as much as humanly possible [10].

4. Meekness and Patience

Humility is often paired with meekness [6, 17]. Christ described himself as "gentle and lowly in heart" (Matthew 11:29) [3]. This disposition allows individuals to be patient under trials and to receive instruction even from the "meanest saints" [1, 17]. It also involves forgiving injuries, as Christ did (Colossians 3:13) [6].

5. Refusal of Earthly Honors and Self-Denial

Christ refused worldly honors and lived a life of poverty, demonstrating that true value does not lie in earthly acclaim or possessions [3]. Practicing humility involves a degree of self-denial and a willingness to forgo personal comfort or recognition for the sake of God's kingdom and the good of others (Matthew 16:24; Romans 15:3) [6]. It means not seeking one's own glory but giving all credit to God's grace [17].

6. Diligence in Spiritual Growth

Humility is not passive but requires diligence [4]. Believers are called to diligently seek God, obey him, and strive for perfection (1 Chronicles 22:19; Deuteronomy 6:17; Philippians 3:13-14) [4]. This includes cultivating Christian graces, guarding against defilement, and making one's calling sure (2 Peter 1:5, 10; Hebrews 12:15) [4]. Tyndale House notes that humility is fitting when considering humanity's state before God's kindness and love intervened [12].

7. Unity and Love

Matthew Henry, commenting on Ephesians 4:2, links humility with the broader call to unity and love among Christians [13]. one tradition states that "love is the law of Christ's kingdom," and walking worthy of one's calling involves being "faithful friends to all Christians" [13]. Humility fosters this unity by promoting a focus on others rather than self, rejoicing in the gifts and graces of others, and avoiding envy [17].

Humility is a characteristic of saints, regarded and heard by God, who enjoys the presence of the humble [2]. God delivers, lifts up, and exalts the humble, granting them more grace [2]. Those who are humble are considered greatest in Christ's kingdom [2]. The example of Christ's humility, particularly his self-emptying and obedience, serves as the foundational model for believers seeking to live a life pleasing to God [1, 16].

Sources

  1. 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”
  2. 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, ”
  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. 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:”
  5. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Humiliation of Christ — (Phil. 2:8), seen in (1) his birth (Gal. 4:4; Luke 2:7; John 1:46; Heb. 2:9), (2) his circumstances, (3) his reputation (Isa. 53; Matt. 26:59, 67; Ps. 22:6; Matt. 26:68), (4) his soul (Ps. 22:1; Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 22:44; Heb. 2:17, 18; 4:15), (5) his death (Luke 23; John 19; Mark 15:24, 25), (6) and his burial (Isa. 53:9; Matt. 27:57, 58, 60). His humiliation was necessary (1) to execute the purpose of God (Acts 2:23, 24; Ps. 40:6-8), (2) fulfil the Old Testament types and prophecies, (3) satisfy the law in the room of the guilty (Isa. 53; Heb”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Example of Christ, The — Is perfect -- Heb 7:26. Conformity to, required in Holiness. -- 1Pe 1:15,16; Ro 1:6. Righteousness. -- 1Jo 2:6. Purity. -- 1Jo 3:3. Love. -- Joh 13:34; Eph 5:2; 1Jo 3:16. Humility. -- Lu 22:27; Php 2:5,7. Meekness. -- Mt 11:29. Obedience. -- Joh 15:10. Self-denial. -- Mt 16:24; Ro 15:3. Ministering to others. -- Mt 20:28; Joh 13:14,15. Benevolence. -- Ac 20:35; 2Co 8:7,9. Forgiving injuries. -- Col 3:13. Overcoming the world. -- Joh 16:33; 1Jo 5:4. Being not of the world. -- Joh 17:16. Being guileless. -- 1Pe 2:21-22. Suffering wrongfully. --”
  7. Romans “Romans 12:13 (BSB) — Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
  8. II Corinthians “II Corinthians 10:1 (LEB) — Now I, Paul, appeal to you myself by the humility and gentleness of Christ, who ⌞when I am present in person⌟ am humble among you, but when I am absent am bold toward you—”
  9. 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.”
  10. Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 11, section 4: life well, and give laws to others, in the first place should consider the Divine nature; and, upon the contemplation of God's operations, should thereby imitate the best of all patterns, so far as it is possible for human nature to do, and to endeavor to follow after it: neither could the legislator himself have a right mind without such a contemplation; nor would any thing he should write tend to the promotion of virtue in his readers; I mean, unless they be taught first of all, that God is the Father and Lord of all things, a”
  11. Philippians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philippians 2:5: Let this mind be in you,.... The Arabic version renders it, "let that humility be perceived in you". The apostle proposes Christ as the great pattern and exemplar of humility; and instances in his assumption of human nature, and in his subjection to all that meanness, and death itself, even the death of the cross in it; and which he mentions with this view, to engage the saints to lowliness of mind, in imitation of him; to show forth the same temper and disposition of mind in their practice, which also was in Christ Jesus; or as the Syriac version, "think ye the”
  12. Titus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Titus 3:3: 3:3 Humility (3:2) is fitting, considering our state when God’s kindness and love came to us (3:4; see Eph 2:1-4; 5:8; Col 3:7; 1 Pet 4:3).”
  13. Ephesians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ephesians 4:2: Here the apostle proceeds to more particular exhortations. Two he enlarges upon in this chapter: - To unity an love, purity and holiness, which Christians should very much study. We do not walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called if we be not faithful friends to all Christians, and sworn enemies to all sin. This section contains the exhortation to mutual love, unity, and concord, with the proper means and motives to promote them. Nothing is pressed upon us more earnestly in the scriptures than this. Love is the law of Christ's kingdom, the lesson of h”
  14. John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 13:15: For I have given you an example,.... Christ is an example to his people, in many things; not in his miraculous performances and mediatorial work, but in the exercise of grace, of meekness, humility, love, patience, and the like; and in the discharge of duty, in submission to ordinances, and in attending on them; and in the several duties, both to them that are without, and to them that are within; and also in his sufferings and death; not that he died merely as an example, but likewise in the room and stead of his people; but here he is spoken of, as an example, in a p”
  15. Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 12:2: 12:2 Jesus is the supreme example of faithful endurance (3:1). Our endurance in the Christian life will depend on our keeping our eyes on Jesus—staying focused on him and his work on our behalf. • Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith: Jesus has accomplished everything necessary for faith under the new covenant to be a reality. • disregarding its shame: Crucifixion was the most shameful form of execution, meant to humiliate and torture the person crucified. It was used only for slaves and criminals who were not Roman citizens. Christ treated th”
  16. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: Homily VI. Philippians ii. 5–8 “Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, counted it not a prize to be on an equality with God, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.” Our Lord Jesus Christ, when exhorting His disciples to great actions, places before them Himself, and the Father, and the Prophets, as examples; as when He”
  17. Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 4:2: With all lowliness and meekness,..... In the exercise of humility, which shows itself in believers, in entertaining and expressing the meanest thoughts of themselves, and the best of others; in not envying the gifts and graces of others, but rejoicing at them, and at every increase of them; in a willingness to receive instruction from the meanest saints; in submission to the will of God in all adverse dispensations of Providence; and in ascribing all they have, and are, to the grace of God: and so to behave, is to walk agreeably to their calling of God; and what the”
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