What does it mean to clothe yourself with humility (1 Peter 5:5)?

from the old testament

• Both Peter and James quote a version of Proverbs 3:34: "Toward the scorners he [God] is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor." This Proverb teaches that pride impedes some from having a good relationship with God. Many of the Proverbs encourage humility (Proverbs 11:2, 15:33, 16:19, 18:12, 22:4, 29:23).
• Micah, whom God sent to prophesy to Samaria and Jerusalem, reinforced the Bible's teaching that God favors those who are humble before Him: "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8).
• Moses, who God chose to lead His people out of Egypt and through the desert for forty years, was described as "very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth" (Numbers 12:3 NKJV). Ruth and Daniel are other key biblical figures who exemplify humility.

from the new testament

• Peter exhorted elders in the church to lead with the right attitude. To the young men within the congregation, he emphasized humility: "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'" (1 Peter 5:5; cf. James 4:6).
• Peter and the other disciples had been apt students of Jesus' lessons on humility. Jesus described Himself as "gentle and lowly in heart" (Matthew 11:29) and frequently taught the importance of humility (Matthew 18:1-4, 20:25-28, 23:11-12; Luke 14:7-11, 18:9-14). He even washed His disciples' feet (John 13:1-17), setting the precedent for godly leadership.
• Paul encouraged believers to "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3). He notes that Christ was the model for this in that He "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And . . . humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:7-8).

implications for today

Do you have "one-uppers" in your life? If you've hiked in Yellowstone, they've backpacked through the Amazon rainforest. Your broken wrist doesn't compare to the three bones they broke (all at once!). If your lovable mutt can shake your hand, his purebred Poodle can bring his slippers. Of course there's nothing wrong if you've experienced those things, but there's not need to air out all of it when someone else is sharing their own stories.

Don't be the one-upper.

We can't outdo everybody, and as Christians, we shouldn't even want to. Jesus told His followers to take the "lowest place" at the wedding banquet (Luke 14:10), not to call shotgun at the bride and groom's table.

This doesn't apply to just the big things, like being open to correction from people in your life (e.g., other Christians, church leaders, etc.). It also applies to where pride can creep into your everyday attitude. You actually don't have to have the last word in an argument, can let it go when someone cuts you off in traffic, and can volunteer for the task at work that the others hate doing.

So, instead of one-upping what should you do? Celebrate the other person’s story. Ask questions, listen without planning your own response, and let someone else’s experience be interesting without needing to make yours more impressive. Practice the habit of putting others in the spotlight instead of constantly redirecting it toward yourself. Receive correction without becoming defensive. Admit when you’re wrong. Give others credit. Choose to serve when there’s nothing in it for you, and let go of the need to have the last word. Remember who you are in Jesus. Remember that others are made in His image and are worthy of value too. Humility grows when you intentionally choose the low place, trust God with your significance, and find your identity in being like Christ rather than being better than everyone else.