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Practicing Surrender and Humility in Spiritual Growth

Spiritual growth in the Christian tradition often involves the cultivation of humility and the practice of surrender, both of which are exemplified by Christ and encouraged throughout Scripture [1, 2]. Humility is a state of mind that is pleasing to God, preserving tranquility and fostering patience during trials [1].

The Bible presents humility as essential for serving God [4]. It is a characteristic of saints, who are regarded, heard, and delivered by God [4]. The humble are promised God's presence and exaltation [1, 4]. Conversely, pride is depicted as leading to humiliation and failure [5, 12]. Proverbs states that "the pride of man humbleth him, And humility of spirit upholdeth honour" [5]. Matthew Henry notes that true religion involves "walking humbly with God," reverencing His majesty and authority, and submitting to His commands and providence [14]. This includes having low thoughts of oneself and behaving humbly toward both God and others [14].

Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example of humility [1, 2]. His humility was demonstrated in His incarnation, taking on human nature, being born in humble circumstances, and being subject to His parents [2]. He lived a life of poverty, partook in human infirmities, submitted to ordinances like baptism, and became a servant [2]. He associated with the despised, refused worldly honors, and even washed His disciples' feet [2]. Philippians 2:6-8 describes Christ's self-emptying, taking "the form of a servant," and humbling Himself "even to the point of death on a cross." This example is set for believers to follow [4].

Surrender, closely related to humility, involves submitting to God's will and sovereignty [8]. This includes resignation to God's dispensations, whether in the face of death, loss of possessions or children, chastisements, or bodily suffering [8]. Adam Clarke, commenting on 1 Peter 5:6, explains that those who patiently submit to God's providence will be lifted up, while those who exalt themselves will be brought low [9]. He emphasizes that if one does not humble oneself under God's grace, God will humble them through judgment [9].

The concept of self-denial is a practical outworking of surrender. Christ also exemplified self-denial, and it is presented as a test of devotion to Him [7]. It is necessary for following Christ, for the spiritual warfare of saints, and for their ultimate triumph [7]. Self-denial involves denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, controlling appetites, abstaining from fleshly desires, and mortifying sinful lusts [7]. The prophet Jeremiah speaks of the need to "surrender your pride and power," metaphorically described as circumcising the heart, which is a covenant sign of submission to God [15].

Humility and surrender are not merely passive states but active practices. They involve a willingness to receive instruction, rejoice in the gifts of others, and ascribe all accomplishments to God's grace [13]. John Gill notes that patience, cultivated through tribulations, leads to an enlarged experience of God's love, faithfulness, and power, teaching humility, thankfulness, and resignation [11]. The humble are those who submit to and depend on God [10]. The apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:12, speaks of learning "the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need," indicating a surrendered contentment in all circumstances [3]. This spiritual posture allows believers to receive more grace, as "God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble" [6, 4].

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 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”
  3. Philippians “I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. -- Philippians 4:12”
  4. 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, ”
  5. Proverbs “Proverbs 29:23 (YLT) — The pride of man humbleth him, And humility of spirit upholdeth honour.”
  6. I Peter “I Peter 5:5 (Geneva1599) — Likewise ye yonger, submit your selues vnto the elders, and submit your selues euery man, one to another: decke your selues inwardly in lowlinesse of minde: for God resisteth the proude, and giueth grace to the humble.”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
  9. 1 Peter (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Peter 5:6: Humble yourselves - Those who submit patiently to the dispensations of God's providence he lifts up; those who lift themselves up, God thrusts down. If we humble not ourselves under God's grace, he will humble us under his judgments. Those who patiently submit to him, he exalts in due time; if his hand be mighty to depress, it is also mighty to exalt.”
  10. 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).”
  11. Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 5:4: And patience experience,.... As tribulations tend to exercise and increase patience, so patience being exercised and increased, enlarges the saints' stock and fund of experience; of the love and grace of God communicated to them at such seasons; of his faithfulness in fulfilling his promises; of his power in supporting them; and of their own frailty and weakness; and so are taught humility, thankfulness, and resignation to the will of God: and experience, hope; hope is a gift of God's grace, and is implanted in regeneration, but abounds, increases, and becomes more s”
  12. Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 18:12: 18:12 Haughtiness cultivates pride. It leads to failure because it does not allow for change in the face of criticism. Humility learns from others and leads to the honor of success.”
  13. 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”
  14. Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 22:4: See here, 1. Wherein religion does very much consist - in humility and the fear of the Lord; that is, walking humbly with God. We must so reverence God's majesty and authority as to submit with all humility to the commands of his word and the disposals of his providence. We must have such low thoughts of ourselves as to behave humbly towards God and man. Where the fear of God is there will be humility. 2. What is to be gotten by it - riches, and honour, and comfort, and long life, in this world, as far as God sees good, at least spiritual riches and honour in th”
  15. Jeremiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jeremiah 4:4: 4:4 To deal with their sin, the people needed to give up the pride and power that were so precious to them (Deut 10:16; 30:6; Amos 5:6; Mark 9:43; Rom 2:28; Col 2:11). • surrender your pride and power: Literally circumcise yourselves. Circumcision was a covenant sign of submission to God.”
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