Day 19: Decide To Be Humble

In the following days we are going to look at another example of something very important in the Christian life which comes by a decision and one which may surprise you because you probably have never considered that this is the result of a decision. The aspect of the Christian life that I’m speaking about is humility. I want to tell you that humility is not an emotion, it’s a decision. And, once again, as with all these decisions, the initiative is with us.

Listen to what James says in his epistle in chapter 4, verse 10:

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

Notice, the initiative is with us, it’s not with the Lord. The word of God says, “Humble yourselves...” I’ve heard Christians from time to time pray, “Lord, make me humble.” I question whether that’s a scriptural prayer because the Lord says, “Don’t ask Me to do it, you do it. Humble yourself. You humble yourself. I’ll lift you up. That’s My side of the bargain.” But the act of humbling yourself, the decision to do that, is yours.

This is stated more fully in 1 Peter, chapter 5, verses 5 and 6, where Peter says this, and he begins with the young men but he goes on to all believers:

“Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”

Notice, Peter says the same as James. He says, “Humble yourselves...” Don’t ask God to do it. That’s your responsibility. It is your decision!