Humility is something we must put on daily as we submit ourselves to God. It will help us greatly when we resist the devil (James 4:7). Part of the submitting process involves being “clothed with humility.”
Peter wrote, “All of you, 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.” (1 Peter 5:5-6 NIV) Humility wins us God’s favor, grace and restoration.
Pride sets a person apart from the rest of the pack. In the mind of the proud, he is better than those around him, standing head and shoulders above the rest. He is an easy target for the enemy to find, since God’s favor no longer shields him (Psalm 5:12). If his pride kept him from sharing his needs with his fellow Christians, he will lack prayer cover. If his pride kept him from asking God for help with his fears, he is vulnerable to stress and worry.
When we clothe ourselves with humility, standing firm in his faith in Jesus Christ, we will be able to successfully resist the devil. God joins us in the fight and strengthens us. Humility combined with prayer and repentance opens the doors to forgiveness and healing (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Here are some ways to put on humility each day:
- Surrender control of our lives to God
- Follow Jesus and make him master of our lives (Philippians 2:5-8)
- Consider others better than ourselves (Philippians 2:2-4)
- Be quick to listen and slow to speak (James 1:9)
- Spend time praising and worshiping God (see Meet with God)
- Fasting
- Making sacrifices
As you do these things, God will help you discover what areas of your life still need to come under Jesus Christ’s authority. God will make you strong, firm and steadfast, and the devil will have to flee from you!
Other verses on humility: 1 Peter 5:5-6, Isaiah 2:12, Psalm 18:27, Psalm 37:11, Matthew 5:5.
See our page on Pride