Does the Bible teach about how to humble yourself?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

God describes humility as recognizing our dependence on Him, submitting to His will, and valuing others above ourselves (Micah 6:8; Philippians 2:3; James 4:10). It is not about thinking less of ourselves—it's about thinking of ourselves less. The Bible teaches that humbling ourselves begins with knowing who God is and understanding who we are in light of His holiness and our need for grace. Scripture also tells us that God honors the humble and opposes the proud. Christ is our example in humbling ourselves as He gave up everything to serve and save us. True humility is seen not only in our thoughts and our view of others but also in how we treat others and respond when we’re wronged or corrected. Gratitude and serving others are also powerful tools in cultivating humility, as they shift our focus from ourselves to God's goodness and remind us that we are not the center of the universe. Ultimately, humility shapes how we live, love, and serve, reflecting the character of Christ in a prideful world.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• God is the sovereign Creator of the universe (Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 45:18), all-powerful and fully good (Psalm 147:5; Nahum 1:7; see 1 John 1:5). We are not, and knowing this should humble us (Ecclesiastes 7:20; see Romans 3:10-12).
• We are sinners who fall short of God's glory and are in need of His mercy and grace (Psalm 8:4-5; Psalm 51:5; see Romans 3:23 and Ephesians 2:1-5).
• When we understand who God is, we can know who we are in relationship to Him, and this should lead us to humility (Isaiah 6:5; see James 4:10).
• When we recognize our need, we can also recognize the great gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. Because of His grace and love, God provides a way for the relationship that was broken in the garden of Eden to be restored (Genesis 3).
• The Old Testament sharply contrasts humility and pride, consistently showing that God honors the humble and opposes the proud (Psalm 25:9; Proverbs 11:2; 16:18). Examples like Pharaoh, Uzziah, and Nebuchadnezzar show that humility is the path to wisdom and favor with God, but pride brings disgrace and downfall (2 Chronicles 26:16; Daniel 4:30-37; Proverbs 18:12).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• When we see God’s holiness and we see our sin, we understand our utter inability to make ourselves right with God (Romans 3:23), to remove the consequences of being sinful human beings (Romans 6:23), and even to stop sinning by our own efforts (John 15:5; Galatians 5:17).
• Jesus provided the ultimate example of humility: He became a man and died in our place so we could be made right with God (Philippians 2:5-8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:8).
• Jesus gave up everything for the Father and became a servant instead of a king. Jesus said, "the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).
• When we are saved, we receive the Holy Spirit whose transformative power helps us achieve "compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience" (Colossians 3:12). Believers must participate with the Holy Spirit in the work (Philippians 2:12-13).
• We are called to act "with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2).
• We also participate with God in His Work as we humbly love Him and others (Matthew 22:37-39; John 13:34-25).
• God clarifies what loving others looks like: "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3).
• God finds selfishness foolish (Luke 12:13-21) and wants us to seek the good of others (1 Corinthians 10:24; Romans 15:2), not our own gain (see Psalm 119:36; Mark 8:34).
• We should not think of ourselves better than we actually are (Romans 12:3, 16; Mathew 23:10-12; Philippians 2:5-8).
• If we are to love like Jesus (John 13:34-35), we, too, should serve others in a way that truly seeks their best. Pride looks at itself in the mirror; humility looks at Jesus.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

True humility starts with recognizing who God is and who we are. Humility also impacts our relationships with others. But how can we test how humble we are and identify where pride resides in our lives? Humility is often revealed in how we respond when we’re not treated well, especially in moments of offense or injustice. For example, when we react with passive-aggressive behavior, we show that we have allowed pride to take root, thinking we deserve better treatment than others. However, when we respond graciously, even while upholding justice for what is wrong, we reveal a heart of humility. Humility also allows us to see ourselves clearly—acknowledging our flaws and our need for grace.

One of the most effective ways to cultivate humility is through gratitude. By consistently practicing thankfulness, we shift our focus from ourselves to God's goodness and sovereignty. This helps us resist self-centered thinking and remember that we are not the center of the universe—God is. For example, in daily interactions, we can intentionally show kindness to those who the world may consider "lower" than us, such as employees, children, or someone who might not be able to return a favor. Humility allows us to acknowledge that all people are valuable in God’s eyes, and it reminds us to focus on loving Him and others well rather than seeking our own desires or demanding our rights.

In the end, humility is a heart posture that recognizes God's supremacy and our dependence on Him. It’s about choosing to serve, love, and give without expecting anything in return, reflecting the heart of Christ. When we practice humility through gratitude and kindness, we break free from the chains of pride that so often entangle us. This opens the door for deeper relationships with God and others. True humility isn't about thinking less of ourselves—it's about thinking of ourselves less and lifting others up as we walk in the love and grace that God has so generously shown to us.

UNDERSTAND

• Humility begins with recognizing who God is and who we are in light of His holiness and grace.
• Humility is cultivated through gratitude, surrender, and service.
• Humility is seeing yourself rightly and considering others above yourself.

REFLECT

• How have you recognized God's holiness and your need for His grace, and how did that shape your attitude toward yourself and others?
• How do you typically respond when you’re corrected or treated unfairly—and what does that reveal about the posture of your heart?
• How can you practice gratitude and service today to shift your focus away from self and pride?

ENGAGE

• What does it look like in real life to count others as more significant than ourselves (Philippians 2:3), and what challenges make that hard in our culture?
• How can we encourage each other to pursue humility without slipping into false humility or self-deprecation?
• What are some ways we can help one another recognize pride in our hearts and choose humility in relationships, especially during conflict or misunderstanding?