HUMILITY BEFORE GOD

HUMILITY BEFORE GOD

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 12:7

Key Verse: “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh...” — 2 Corinthians 12:7

Supporting Texts: Proverbs 16:18; Proverbs 18:12; Micah 6:8; Matthew 23:12; Luke 18:9-14; Philippians 2:5-8; James 4:6-10; 1 Peter 5:5-6; 2 Corinthians 3:5; 1 Corinthians 4:7

Description: Humility before God means recognising our dependence upon Him, receiving His grace with gratitude, and refusing to allow gifts, achievements, revelations, or success to produce pride.

INTRODUCTION

Paul had received extraordinary revelations from the Lord, but he understood that spiritual privileges could create a temptation toward pride. Therefore, he said that a thorn in the flesh was permitted so that he would not be exalted above measure. The experience reminded him that even great revelation does not make a person independent of God.

Humility is not weakness, inferiority, or lack of confidence. Biblical humility is recognising who God is, acknowledging who we are before Him, and giving Him the glory for everything He has entrusted to us. A humble person does not deny God's gifts but recognises that every gift, opportunity, achievement, and spiritual experience ultimately comes from God.

God resists pride but gives grace to the humble. Therefore, every believer must guard the heart against spiritual pride, self-sufficiency, and the desire for human recognition. The closer we come to God, the more conscious we should become of our dependence upon His grace.

1. RECOGNISE GOD AS THE SOURCE OF EVERYTHING

Humility begins when we understand that nothing we possess exists independently of God's grace.

a. Every Good Gift Comes From God (James 1:17) — Every good and perfect gift comes from above, reminding us that our abilities and blessings are gifts from God.

b. Our Sufficiency Comes From God (2 Corinthians 3:5) — We are not sufficient by ourselves; our sufficiency comes from God.

c. Do Not Forget Who Gives You Power (Deuteronomy 8:18) — God gives the power to obtain wealth and accomplish His purposes, so success must never make us forget Him.

d. Give God The Glory For Your Achievements (1 Corinthians 4:7) — Whatever we have received has been given to us, leaving no room for arrogant boasting.

Biblical Example: Joseph became a successful ruler in Egypt, but he acknowledged that his ability to interpret dreams came from God rather than from himself (Genesis 41:15-16).

2. GUARD AGAINST SPIRITUAL PRIDE

Spiritual experiences and ministry success can become dangerous when they produce self-exaltation.

a. Revelation Must Not Produce Pride (2 Corinthians 12:7) — Paul received abundant revelations, yet he needed to be guarded against being exalted above measure.

b. Knowledge Can Become A Source Of Pride (1 Corinthians 8:1) — Knowledge without love can make a person proud, whereas love builds others up.

c. Pride Goes Before Destruction (Proverbs 16:18) — Pride can lead a person into a path of downfall and destruction.

d. Do Not Exalt Yourself Above Others (Romans 12:3) — Believers must not think more highly of themselves than they ought to think but should maintain sober judgment.

Biblical Example: King Uzziah became strong and successful, but when he became proud, he attempted to exercise priestly authority that God had not given him, resulting in judgment (2 Chronicles 26:15-21).

3. UNDERSTAND THAT GOD MAY USE DIFFICULTIES TO KEEP YOU HUMBLE

Not every difficulty is punishment. Sometimes God uses difficult circumstances to protect our character and deepen our dependence upon Him.

a. The Thorn Protected Paul From Pride (2 Corinthians 12:7) — Paul recognised that the thorn was connected with the danger of being exalted because of his extraordinary revelations.

b. Trials Can Produce Spiritual Maturity (James 1:2-4) — Difficult experiences can develop patience and maturity when believers respond to them with faith.

c. Discipline Can Produce Holiness (Hebrews 12:10-11) — God's correction and training can produce the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

d. God Uses Weakness To Reveal His Power (2 Corinthians 12:9) — Human weakness can become a setting in which Christ's power is displayed.

Biblical Example: God allowed Israel to experience wilderness difficulties so that they would learn dependence upon Him and understand that man does not live by bread alone (Deuteronomy 8:2-3).

4. DEPEND COMPLETELY ON GOD'S GRACE

Humility recognises that we cannot successfully fulfil God's purpose through human ability alone.

a. God's Grace Is Sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9) — Paul's answer to his weakness was the assurance that God's grace was sufficient for him.

b. God Gives Grace To The Humble (James 4:6) — God actively gives grace to those who acknowledge their dependence upon Him.

c. Wait For God's Strength (Isaiah 40:29-31) — Those who wait upon the Lord receive renewed strength rather than depending solely upon themselves.

d. Pray For Help In Every Need (Hebrews 4:16) — We can approach God's throne confidently to receive mercy and grace when we need help.

Biblical Example: Gideon initially saw himself as weak and insignificant, but God strengthened him and used him because Gideon learned to depend upon God's presence (Judges 6:14-16).

5. LEARN FROM CHRIST'S EXAMPLE OF HUMILITY

Jesus Christ is the supreme example of humility before God.

a. Christ Humbled Himself (Philippians 2:5-8) — Jesus willingly humbled Himself and became obedient even unto death on the cross.

b. Christ Came To Serve (Mark 10:45) — Jesus did not come to be served but to serve and give His life for others.

c. True Greatness Includes Humility (Matthew 23:11-12) — Jesus taught that the greatest among His followers should become servants.

d. Follow Christ's Attitude (Philippians 2:5) — Believers are called to cultivate the same humble mind that was demonstrated by Christ.

Biblical Example: Jesus washed His disciples' feet, demonstrating that spiritual leadership is expressed through humble service (John 13:3-15).

6. RECEIVE CORRECTION AND GOD'S DISCIPLINE WITH HUMILITY

A humble heart remains teachable and accepts correction when necessary.

a. Listen To Wise Correction (Proverbs 12:1) — Loving instruction requires a willingness to accept correction and grow.

b. Do Not Harden Your Heart (Hebrews 3:15) — When God speaks, believers must respond rather than resist His instruction.

c. Accept God's Discipline (Proverbs 3:11-12) — God's correction demonstrates His fatherly love and desire for our growth.

d. Learn From Others (Proverbs 11:14) — Wise counsel can protect us from unnecessary mistakes and help us make sound decisions.

Biblical Example: David accepted Nathan's confrontation concerning his sin and humbled himself before God rather than continuing to justify his wrongdoing (2 Samuel 12:1-13).

7. SERVE WITHOUT SEEKING SELF-EXALTATION

Humility is demonstrated by serving God faithfully without making personal recognition the primary goal.

a. Do Good Without Seeking Applause (Matthew 6:1-4) — Jesus warned against performing righteous acts merely to receive praise from people.

b. Let God Exalt You In His Time (1 Peter 5:6) — Believers should humble themselves under God's mighty hand and trust Him to exalt them at the appropriate time.

c. Honour Others Above Yourself (Philippians 2:3) — Christians should esteem others and avoid selfish ambition and vain glory.

d. Seek God's Approval Above Human Praise (Galatians 1:10) — The servant of Christ must not make pleasing people the highest goal.

Biblical Example: John the Baptist refused to compete with Jesus. Instead, he declared, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

8. WALK HUMBLY WITH GOD EVERY DAY

Humility is not a one-time experience. It must become a consistent way of life.

a. Walk Humbly With God (Micah 6:8) — God calls His people to walk humbly with Him while practising justice and loving mercy.

b. Submit Yourself To God (James 4:7) — Submission to God positions the believer to resist the devil and remain spiritually grounded.

c. Remain Watchful Against Pride (1 Peter 5:8) — Spiritual vigilance is necessary because believers must remain sober and alert.

d. Give God The Glory In Everything (1 Corinthians 10:31) — Whatever we do should ultimately be done for God's glory.

Biblical Example: Mary, the mother of Jesus, responded to God's extraordinary calling with humility, calling herself the handmaid of the Lord and submitting to His will (Luke 1:38, 46-49).

CONCLUSION

Humility before God is a foundation for spiritual growth, effective ministry, and lasting usefulness. Paul's experience teaches us that even extraordinary revelation, spiritual gifts, and ministry achievements can become dangerous if they cause us to forget our dependence upon God. His thorn reminded him that God's grace, rather than human ability, was the foundation of his life and ministry.

Therefore, do not allow success to make you proud, revelation to make you independent, or recognition to make you forget God. Remain teachable, receive correction, honour others, serve faithfully, and give God the glory for everything He has done through your life. When you humble yourself before Him, you position yourself to receive His grace and walk continually in His strength.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, give me a humble and contrite heart that continually honours You, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, deliver me from every form of pride and self-exaltation, in Jesus name.

3. Father, help me to recognise You as the source of every blessing and ability in my life, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, let every spiritual gift and revelation You give me produce greater humility, in Jesus name.

5. Father, give me grace to receive correction and instruction with a teachable heart, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, help me to depend completely upon Your grace and strength, in Jesus name.

7. Father, deliver me from the desire for human praise and recognition, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, help me to serve others with the humility and love of Christ, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let every experience in my life produce spiritual maturity rather than pride, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, help me to walk humbly with You and give You all the glory throughout my life, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall walk in humility and remain dependent upon God.

2. Every root of pride and self-exaltation in your life shall be uprooted.

3. God's grace shall continually preserve your heart from spiritual pride.

4. Every gift and blessing upon your life shall bring glory to God.

5. You shall receive wisdom to handle every spiritual experience with humility.

6. You shall remain teachable, correctable, and willing to grow.

7. You shall not lose your relationship with God because of success or recognition.

8. The grace to serve others with the character of Christ shall rest upon you.

9. You shall depend upon God's strength rather than your own ability.

10. You shall walk humbly with God, finish your assignment faithfully, and give Him all the glory.