Summary

Pride is defined as being self-centered and self-reliant, but humility is all about being God-centered and God-reliant. When issues arise in our lives, trusting in Him and what He has done, instead of in ourselves and what we think we can make happen, shows that we are truly humble. When humility is present, honor will also be present. Walking humbly results in the divine honor that can only come from God. The world knows nothing of true humility, but the Word of God gives us multiple examples.

A. God hates pride and loves humility. He will exalt the humble.  
    1. Humble yourself under God’s hand, so He can exalt you in due time. He cares for you (1 Peter 5:6, 7).
        a. We humble ourselves when we acknowledge that we lean on and trust in Him more than in other people.
        b. We will never be able to take the place of humility without also taking the place of honor.
    2. By humility and the fear of God come riches, honor, and life (Proverbs 22:4).
      a. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil. When we reach the point where no one can talk us into doing evil, we receive blessings.
   3. There is a clear connection between humility and honor.
      a. Before destruction, a person’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor (Proverbs 18:12).
      b. The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and before honor is humility (Proverbs 15:33).
     c. Humble yourselves in God’s sight, and He will lift you up (James 4:10).

B. We must put enough weight into God’s Word to completely trust Him.
     1. No one could ever honor us like He can. Our humility brings us to a place of honor.
         a. God promised that He will honor those who honor Him, and He will lightly esteem those who despise Him (1 Samuel 2:30).
         b. Jesus asked how people could seek honor from each other, but not from God (John 5:44).
         c. Whoever despises the Word will be destroyed, but those who fear the commandment will be rewarded (Proverbs 13:13).
     2. The translation of the word “honor” means to make heavy or to carry weight.
          a. To honor God is to give His Word more weight in our lives than what anyone else says, or whatever situation happens.
          b. It means that we value Him so much that what He says has more influence with us than anything or anyone else. His Word must be first in all of our decisions.

C. Beware of arrogance, hypocrisy, and contradictions to the Scriptures.
    1. Our character must be free from the love of money, and we should be satisfied with our circumstances and what we have. God will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5, 6, AMP).
        a. A good attitude can bring blessings. We must not compare ourselves to others.
        b. Jesus observed that although people honored Him with their words, their heart was far from Him (Matthew 15:8).They paid lip service to Him, but their actions demonstrated otherwise.
        c. The serpent in the garden of Eden directly contradicted what God said (Genesis 3:1-4).The Word must always carry more weight than the world’s contradictions.
 

D. Jesus, the perfect Teacher of honor and humility, is the example we should follow. 
     1. Look at Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. He endured the cross and the contradiction of sinners against Himself (Hebrews 12:2, 3).
         a. What we focus on the most will determine whether or not we can escape the world’s contradictions.
         b. We must run from sin the same way Joseph ran from Potiphar’s wife when she tried to seduce him.
         c. We are commanded to honor our parents, esteeming and valuing them as precious (Ephesians 6:2, AMP).The world has largely forgotten about this. When we honor our parents, the honor will be returned.

1 Peter 5:6, 7 Proverbs 22:4 Proverbs18:12 Proverbs 15:33 James 4:10 1 Samuel 2:30 John 5:44

Proverbs 13:13 Hebrews 13:5, 6, AMP Matthew 15:8 Genesis 3:1-4 Hebrews 12:2, 3 Ephesians 6:2, AMP