Humility

Foundational

Value

What is Humility:

Humility is a value of the person and the spirit. It is when a person is modest in their dealings with other people. A humble person is not arrogant or prideful.

A person shows humility when they don’t emphasize their own self Importance or desires over someone else. A person is humble when they put others first, and they naturally will accept being last. Humility is a real and soft strength of the person; always being considerate of the needs and feelings of others first, before themselves.

A humble person submits to God’s Will and will be known for their constant pursuit of self-improvement, while not judging others.

A humble person is self-reflective and always thankful for their blessings in life. They are forgiving by nature and highly energized to help others with a selfless dedication of mind and spirit.

Examples of Humility:

Humility may be shown by an individual or a group.

Putting others who are in great need first, every day and helping them to live a better life. >>Mother Theresa -- A devoted Christian Nun who gave her life for the poor of India. She tirelessly served the poorest of the poor on the streets of Calcutta. She accepted poverty in her life as a strength and purposely devoted herself to the sick and greatest of need.

An Athlete who has just won the Olympic Gold Medal for a sporting event, is thankful for the recognition and respectfully accepts others’ praise. >>Jesse Owens — The ground breaking sprinter who competed at the Olympics just once, in 1936. and won 4 gold medals.

A Mountain Climber who just made it to the top of Mount Everest and takes a view.

Anti-Value: Pride

Pride is the opposite of Humility.

Pride is considered one of the 7 Deadly Sins.

It is one of the worst anti-values known to humankind. Pride is often at the source of conflict in our world, where one person or a group puts themselves above the needs and consideration of others.

Pride is arrogance, self love, boastfulness, vulgar one centeredness. Pride is often exhibited by egotistic, self serving behavior that is always concerned with self image, to the extreme and neglect of recognizing the worth and dignity of others.

A prideful person believes in their own self excellence to the exclusion of all else, and anybody else.

Prideful people are caught up in their own self reflection, their own

exaggerated self worth.

Biblical References of Humility:

Peter 5:2-5: “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:6: “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Luke 14:11: "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Matthew 18:1-35: "At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me"