Lesson 1

 

HUMILITY: DEFINITION & BENEFITS
 

                                                                                            

 


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KEY SCRIPTURES:

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
     for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
                                                                                             (Matthew 5:3)

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
                                                                                                 (John 15:5)

A. What is to be humble?

To be humble is to be "TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON GOD FOR EVERYTHING IN LIFE AND TO GIVE GOD ALL THE GLORY FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US."

In other words, to be humble is to be "POOR IN SPIRIT".
It is to acknowledge that we are utterly poor while God is the source of ALL riches in ALL areas of life.

Blessed are the POOR IN SPIRIT,
     for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 5:3)

It is to acknowledge that by our own natural self, we are not good, we have nothing good, and we can do nothing good (Luke 18:19; Romans 3:12).
It is to acknowledge that apart from God, we can do nothing that is pleasing to God.
Apart from God's life in us, we can do nothing fruitful.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can DO NOTHING."
(John 15:5)

In other words, to be humble is to be "TOTAL DEPENDENT ON GOD".
A humble person is one who turn to God everyday for everything in his life:

for God's commands to live a godly life

for God's salvation from sin, death and hell;

for forgiveness of sin;

for God's life- abundant and eternal;

for righteousness, holiness and glorification;

for love, joy and peace;

for wisdom and revelation;

for power and strength;

for health and healing;

for wealth and riches;

for protection and guidance;

for success in ministry;

for building God's kingdom on this earth (in our lives, family, office, nation, etc);

for everything good.

Since everything good we have received has come from God and everything good that we have done has been done by the power of God, we should always give ALL the honor and glory to God.

B. Why should We be Humble?

1. We are commanded by God to be humble

God has commanded us to be humble, to be poor in spirit. Let us obey him.
When we obey God, we please him (Matthew 3:17).

HUMBLE YOURSELVES, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
(1 Peter 5:6)

2. God's heavenly blessings will only come into our lives when we are humble

When we acknowledge of total dependence on God, and turn to Him for everything we need, it is only then that God's blessings will flow from heaven into our lives.

If we are proud, and do not turn to him, we will receive no blessing from him.
We will receive nothing good from God.
The blessings of the kingdom of heaven are only given to those who are poor in spirit.

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
     for theirs is the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
(Matthew 5:3)

God's grace (the blessings of heaven) is freely given to us through the cross of Jesus.
But God's grace will only be given to us when we humble ourselves before God.

God opposes the proud,
      but give GRACE to the humble.
(1 Peter 5:5; Proverbs 3:34)

3. God's presence will only be manifest in our lives when we are humble

God's Spirit is grieved by those who are proud.
The presence of God's Spirit will not be manifested in those of God's children who are humble (those who are lowly in spirit or poor in spirit).

"I live in a high and holy place,
but also with him who is contrite and LOWLY IN SPIRIT."
(Isaiah 57:15)

4. God will exalt us and grant us victory and success in every area of life only when we are humble

God promises us that when we humble ourselves before him, he will exalt and honor us in the eyes of others.
We will always be victorious and successful when we humble ourselves before God.

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be EXALTED.
(Luke 18:14)

God hates pride.
God becomes an enemy of those who are proud.
God will always humiliate and humble those who are proud.
He will cast them down sooner or later.

God OPPOSES the proud,
     but give grace to the humble.
(1 Peter 5:5; Proverbs 3:34)

Pride goes before DESTRUCTION,
     a haughty spirit before a fall.
(Proverbs 16:18)

A man's pride BRING HIM LOW,
     but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.
(Proverbs 29:23)

Your thought

PRAYER

PRAYER FOR HUMILITY

Dear Father God, grant us a spirit of humility at all times, that we may live a life that is fruitful and pleasing to you.

We acknowledge that we can do nothing apart from you.
We can do nothing good without your life.
All we need for a godly and abundant life comes only from you and you alone.

So teach us and help us, O Lord.
We give you all the glory for all your blessings.
In Jesus' name. Amen.

DECLARATION & PROCLAMATIONS

DECLARATIONS & PROCLAMATIONS

Jesus is the vine; we are the branches.
Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing.                    (John 15:5)

Therefore we will humble ourselves before God everyday.
We will depend on him and turn to him for everything we need, in every area of our life.                                (1 Peter 5:6)

God gives us his grace (the blessings of heaven), and exalts and honors us, when we humble ourselves before him.            (1 Peter 5:5; Proverbs 3:34; Matthew 5:3; Luke 18:14)

 

                                                                                              



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