Do you know where the word “human” comes from? It comes from the Latin word “humus,” which means earth or ground. In fact, the words humble and humility also come from that same word.
We are dirt. No, literally we are. What did God create man out of? The dust of the earth. We were created from the dust, and when we die we will return back to dust.
“In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou returnunto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” Genesis 3:19
Where is the earth and dirt? Below our feet, underneath us. So in James 4:10 when it says, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up,” it means that we need to be beneath the Lord filled with humility. It is He who created us, and who we need to serve with humility.
I think of it as a dog. When someone has a young dog and they train it to do commands, they are “over” the dog. They are in charge and in authority over it. So when they command a dog to sit, and it sits, they reward it with a treat and praise. But if the dog doesn’t obey the command they were given, will they be rewarded? Obviously not, because they didn’t do what they were told.
I have a younger dog right now, and I am trying to train her out of some bad habits. She sometimes likes to run after cars that go by, and I am trying to get her to stop doing that. If I hear a car coming I will tell her to stay by me. If she obeys my command, I reward her with praise, and she will get all excited and happy. But if she disobeys my command, and instead goes and runs after the car, I will scold her. And she knows when I am not happy with her. She will slowly come back to me and cower down, knowing that she did something wrong. Even a dog can show humility.
What did someone who came before a king usually do? They would bow down before him, showing reverance and respecting the authority that the king had.
Jesus is the King of kings, yet He came down to us “dirt people” (humans), and helped us. How many kings would come out of their palace and live amongst the common people? Jesus knelt down and washed His disciples feet. How many kings would do that? Jesus shows us how to be humble, and we need to follow His example
A person who is proud and arrogant doesn’t show humility. Instead of being humble, they exalt themselves up over others. They dont’ want to admit their mistakes, because it would mean that they were wrong and need to change. Someone who is filled with humility will freely admit that they are a sinner and need help and forgiveness. Humility and pride are exact opposites, and Jesus warns those who exalt themselves in pride over others.
“And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Matthew 23:12
I’ll use this example again, but the story of the Pharisee and the publican illustrates this well. The Pharisee came before the Lord, not sorry or repentant for anything that he had done wrong, but he instead was filled with pride. He actually felt that he was better than the publican. While standing a little ways off, the publican was filled with sorrow for his sins and misdeeds. He came to God filled with a humble spirit, asking meekly for forgiveness. Jesus explained that the publican went home justified (forgiven), because he showed humility and was repentant for what he had done. Unlike the Pharisee, he accepted that he was a sinner, and he was forgiven.
James wrote basically the same thing in James 4.
“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” James 4:6
Again, Peter writes in 1 Peter 5:6,
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”
It requires a meek and humble heart to admit fault, and to come forward for forgiveness. Pride and arrogance have no part in the life of a Christian. We need to become humble, as that publican was, and when we do, God will lift you up.
In Christ,
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 