HUMILITY: the quality or condition of being humble; modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance, rank, etc.
HUMBLE: not proud or arrogant; modest
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with HUMILITY comes wisdom." Proverbs 11:2
"Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and HUMILITY comes before honor." Proverbs 15:33
"HUMILITY is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life." Proverbs 22:4
"Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek HUMILITY; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger." Zephaniah 2:3
We should be imitating the best example of humility - Jesus....
"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 11:25
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in HUMILITY value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:3-8
"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the HUMILITY that comes from wisdom." James 3:13
"In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with HUMILITY toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the HUMBLE.' HUMBLE yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time." 1 Peter 5:5-6
We are called to clothe ourselves in HUMILITY... we are to be HUMBLE.
"If my people, who are called by my name, will HUMBLE themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
"Be completely HUMBLE and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2
What about you - are you humble? Or are you full of pride? Are you being wise and exercising true humility? Society tends to look down upon the humble - look down upon those who are not boastful or full of pride. However, there is only the opinion of One that matters. I know I would rather be in a position to make a choice and choose to be humble, rather than to be made humble...
"The eyes of the arrogant will be HUMBLED and human pride brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day. The Lord Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be HUMBLED)" Isaiah 2:11-12
"So people will be brought low and everyone HUMBLED, the eyes of the arrogant HUMBLED. But the Lord Almighty will be exalted by his justice, and the holy God will be proved holy by his righteous acts." Isaiah 5:15-16
"This is what the Lord says: 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?' declares the Lord. 'These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are HUMBLE and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word." Isaiah 66:1-2
"For those who exalt themselves will be HUMBLED, and those who HUMBLE themselves will be exalted." Matthew 23:12
I pray that if you are a believer in Jesus Christ that you would allow His Spirit to work in you, to work in the areas of your life where you are not being wise - where you are not being humble and allow Him to rid you of your pride. This is so hard to do - having our lives weeded of the things that are not bearing His fruit - it is so challenging, and most times it hurts. Hang in there, rather, hang on to Him - He is doing it with your best interest in mind and more importantly, for His glory.
