Marks of Growth in Humility

By Paul Chappell

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time."

1 Peter 5:6

Booker T. Washington, the renowned black educator, was an outstanding example of humility. Once, shortly after he became the president of Tuskegee Institute, he was walking through town when a wealthy woman offered him a few dollars to chop her wood.

Mr. Washington smiled, rolled up his sleeves, and completed the chore. A young neighbor recognized the famous Booker T. Washington and later told the lady who he was. The following morning, the embarrassed lady found her way to Mr. Washington’s office and profusely apologized. "It’s perfectly all right, Madam," he replied. "Occasionally I enjoy a little manual labor. Besides, it’s always a delight to do something for a friend."

Although humility can be difficult to claim, the marks of this vital Christian grace are obvious. Notice these five marks of growth in biblical humility:

Seeks guidance in prayer from above: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" (James 1:5).

Seeks godly counsel: "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety" (Proverbs 11:14).

Admits failure: "I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin" (Psalm 32:5).

Defers credit to others: "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves" (Philippians 2:3).

Gives glory to God: "That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:31).

Do these five marks of humility describe your life? Are you consistently growing in this grace and daily choosing to find ways to humble yourself? Ask the Lord to help you develop and display humility today.

Today's Rooted Principle:

God delights to honor the person who chooses to humble himself.