In yesterday’s post we looked at the sin (vice) of pride. Today we focus on the virtue (grace) of humility. This list also comes from Stuart Scott, From Pride to Humility: A Biblical Perspective (Focus Publishing, 2002; an excerpt from The Exemplary Husband: A Biblical Perspective [2000]), as he completes the picture of the sins of pride to avoid and the graces of humility to cultivate, all by God’s grace flowing from the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.

As we ponder this today, it is important to remember that we are often much quicker to see the sin of pride and the absence of humility in the lives of others than we are in our own lives. That is a clear sign of pride!

As you humbly read and pray through this list, ask yourself these two questions: First, what of these manifestations are absent in your life? Second, what practical evidences of humility need to be cultivated in your life?

Manifestations of Humility (pp.18-21)

1. Recognizing and trusting God’s character.
2. Seeing yourself as having no right to question or judge an Almighty and Perfect God.
3. Focusing on Christ.
4. Biblical praying and a great deal of it.
5. Being overwhelmed with God’s undeserved grace and goodness.
6. Being thankful and grateful in general toward others.
7. Being gentle and patient.
8. Seeing yourself as no better than others.
9. Having an accurate view of your gifts and abilities.
10. Being a good listener.
11. Talking about others only if it is good or for their good.
12. Being gladly submissive and obedient to those in authority.
13. Preferring others over yourself.
14. Being thankful for criticism or reproof.
15. Having a teachable spirit.
16. Seeking always to build up others.
17. Serving.
18. A quickness in admitting when you are wrong.
19. A quickness in granting and asking for forgiveness.
20. Repenting of sin as a way of life.
21. Minimizing others’ sins or shortcomings in comparison to your own.
22. Being genuinely glad for others.
23. Being honest and open about who they are and the areas in which they need growth.
24. Possessing close relationships.

The key biblical truth: “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted” (Lk. 18:14b).

The key biblical response: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you” (1 Pet. 5:6; cf. Jms. 4:10).