LOOK:
Q: At a practical level, how do we cultivate a humble heart, or that spirit of humility?
Accept your Limitations
- Admit that you’re not the best at everything, or anything. There is always someone out there who can do something better than we can.
- Recognize your own faults. We tend to judge others because it’s easier than looking at ourselves in the mirror.
- Be grateful for what you have. You may have a top degree, a top job, be recognized as a top researcher in your field, but in the end, be content and grateful for where the Lord has you.
- Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and admit them when it happens as part of an apology. Part of being humble is to understand that we all make mistakes. (Rom 3:23)
- Avoid bragging. If you’re really that great, other people will recognize your efforts and compliment you. (Prov 16:18, 29:23)
- Be reserved in conversations. It’s like the Stephen Covey principle: Seek to understand before being understood. Have a genuine, focused interest in what other people have to say. It shows that you value their thoughts and opinions as much as your own. (Phil 2:3)
- Don’t take all the credit –if any. Even if you accomplished something amazing, did you really do it without the help of the Lord? (John 15:1-5)
Appreciate Others:
- Appreciate the talents and qualities of others. When you appreciate other qualities, a person with a humble heart desires to improve themselves because they are inspired by what they see in someone else.
- Stop comparing yourself to others. It’s hard to be humble if you’re always trying to be “better” than someone else. God says we are all unique, so it’s hard to say who “is the best” at something!
- Be willing to defer to other people’s judgments. You may not be right! Even people who disagree with you may be right. I love former President Bill Clinton’s quote at the Democratic Convention: “Even a broken clock is right twice a day.”
- Remain teachable. Being teachable means you always have more to learn.
- Help others. When you’re humble, you respect others. And out of respect for others, you help them because it’s the right thing to do. Col 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Eph 4:2 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient bearing with one another in love.”
Meditate on the Word of God daily:
Ask God through prayer to help us develop a spirit of humility that is evidenced in our interactions with others.
Titus 3:2 “Remind the people…to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.”
Download Lesson: 7.6.14 Class Notes – Ex 10