7 Ways to Cultivate Humility

by Annie Yorty

Oh, Lord, it’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way. These tongue-in-cheek lyrics by the country music artist, Mac Davis, sum up the natural human condition we all inherited at birth from Adam and Eve. But we have hope. God rewards those who are humble. Let’s consider 7 ways to cultivate humility.

A Humbled Girl

Why do the most humbling moments of life stick to us like gum on the sole of a sneaker? To this day, I vividly remember one summer afternoon when I was a kid playing whiffle ball with my cousins at a family reunion. I was on third base waiting to run when an unfortunate yellow jacket buzzed up my green-striped seersucker pants leg. As you might imagine, he was not happy to be confined, so he let my flesh know of his displeasure. If you’re familiar with this variety of wasp, you know they can sting repeatedly. And he did.

I shrieked and hopped around, but there was only one thing I could do. I shucked those pants to dislodge the offender and stood there in my underwear, utterly mortified.

At age eight, the humbling was mainly in my mind, but I didn’t like to be brought low. None of us relish these lessons that sometimes have the greatest impact.

A Humbled King

King Josiah came to power at the age of eight after a long string of evil rulers in Judah. By that time, God’s people had strayed far from His righteousness and betrayed Him by worshiping false gods. They had earned the discipline God had planned for them.

After Josiah had reigned for eighteen years, the high priest found the Book of the Law—the books of the Bible they had at that date, which had been lost for generations. He brought it to the king, and a scribe read it aloud. When Josiah heard the Law for the first time, he mourned because he realized how greatly his people had sinned against God. His immediate instructions to the priest revealed his desire to cultivate humility.

Go to the Temple and speak to the Lord for me and for the people and for all Judah. Inquire about the words written in this scroll that has been found. For the Lord’s great anger is burning against us because our ancestors have not obeyed the words in this scroll. We have not been doing everything it says we must do. (2 Kings 22:13 NLT)

When Josiah understood the Law of God, he immediately put himself under its authority. A few verses later, we learn God honored Josiah and withheld judgment because of his humility.

“You were sorry and humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I said against this city and its people—that this land would be cursed and become desolate. You tore your clothing in despair and wept before me in repentance. And I have indeed heard you,” says the Lord. “So I will not send the promised disaster until after you have died and been buried in peace. You will not see the disaster I am going to bring on this city.” (2 Kings 22:19-20 NLT)

7 Ways to Cultivate Humility

Our first step toward cultivating humility is to receive peace with God through Jesus Christ. We admit we are helpless to overcome our pride-filled sin nature and request the grace of our Savior. His Spirit writes God’s Law on our hearts and teaches us to follow it.

With God’s Spirit in the lead, we learn to cultivate humility in our lives.

1. Compare yourself only to Jesus.

This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. (Ephesians 4:13 NLT)

When we measure ourselves by the standard of Christ, we see ourselves accurately, and pride flees.

2. Choose to serve others.

Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. (John 13:5 NLT)

Jesus demonstrated humility to His disciples by doing the job only the lowliest of servants would do. We should never consider a job beneath our dignity as we serve God and others.

3. Don’t put on a show.

What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! . . . Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness. (Matthew 23:27-28 NLT)

Jesus spoke harshly about the hypocritical religious leaders of His day. He wants our words and actions to reflect a heart truly centered on Him. When we mess up, we confess, ask for forgiveness, and, by God’s grace, change from the inside out.

4. Be grateful.

For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen. (Romans 11:36 NLT)

We easily slip into arrogance when we succeed or accumulate possessions. We must be careful to remember to thank the One who has provided everything we have.

5. Vie for last position.

So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last. (Matthew 20:16 NLT)

Jesus explained in the Kingdom of Heaven, the pecking order will be based on humility. We might as well practice putting others first right now.

6. Learn to accept critical feedback.

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (Proverbs 27:17 NLT)

Sometimes we veer toward the guardrails of life. God often uses a wise friend to help us get back to the correct lane. His Spirit within us also teaches and corrects our thoughts and behavior so we can live a blessed life.

7. Guard your mouth.

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. (James 1:19 NLT)

Pride always wants to assert itself. Often, our words fly long before our brains engage. When we train ourselves to wait and listen to other points of view, we practice humility.

God’s Reward for Cultivating Humility

Let’s get back to King Josiah.

Did you notice God rewarded Josiah’s humble response to the Word with His mercy? He delayed the judgment His people deserved and offered additional time to repent and turn back to Him.

This principle repeats throughout the pages of the Bible and continues today. When we humble ourselves before God, He pours out His mercy to us.

When we humble ourselves before God, He pours out His mercy to us. Share on X

Join the conversation:

What would you add to my list of ways to cultivate humility?

I welcome your comments!

Copyright ©2023 Annie Yorty

 

“It’s Hard to Be Humble Lyrics.” Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2023. Web. 16 May 2023. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/29338816/Mac+Davis/It%27s+Hard+to+Be+Humble>.

From Ignorance to Bliss

What do you do when life comes at you sideways? From Ignorance to Bliss demonstrates how God uses the unexpected in life to grow and change those who are willing.

Readers receive inspiration and hope through a transparent dive into real life with Alyssa, who has Down syndrome. Annie offers stories of God’s faithfulness from before diagnosis and birth through adulthood.

Filled with humor, poignance, and practical insights, topics include expectations, education, stress, medical issues, recreation, work, siblings and friends, rejection and disappointment, and triumphs and joy.