Chapter 10: The Attitudes of a Humble Heart (Part 1)
The author desires that we understand what the word “attitude” actually means, therefore, I will quote the definition from the Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary.
4 a : a mental position with regard to a fact or state
b : a feeling or emotion toward a fact or state
She goes on to state that an “attitude” is what you think about an issue or your circumstances. I personally believe our opinions on an issue or on our circumstances often get in the way of God’s Purpose. We ask ourselves too often what we think, how we feel, what we want; instead of asking what God’s position on the matter is, how He would feel about our situation and how we intended to handle the matter, or what God wants for us or for us to do.
The attitude comes from what we think. If we think biblically, we will have a godly attitude, if we think secularly, we will many times have an ungodly attitude. Right thinking equals a right attitude – a right attitude can lead to right thinking, let us look at how.
Humility to some people is a bad word. However, true humility is merely a matter of looking at yourself as God does, no better or no worse, no more important and no less important. Humility is the only cure for pride, and pride is the deadliest sin of all, as it affects so many areas of a person’s life.
The author points out some biblical principles regarding humility.
1. We are not to think more of ourselves than we ought, (Romans 12:3). When we think more or even less of ourselves than we should we are self-center. For some people, they are obsessed with thinking about themselves, and a secular mindset promotes just such a thinking – self first, me first, what I want, what I need, my rights, I, I, I, I, me, me, me.
2. God gave us our gifts and abilities, we did not give them to ourselves, (1 Corinthians 15:10). As I am sure many of you have heard it said, ‘I would not even take my next breath if it were not for God.’ We think we are so important, smart, talented, gifted, but we could not breathe in the next minute without God, it is all about God and what He does, not what we do. When Paul said, ‘I am what I am by the grace of God.’ Paul meant that in a positive, god-honoring way; taken from being a persecutor of Christian to being one himself and being used of God. I have heard people shamefully use this Scripture to justify their sinful behavior, carnal lifestyle, and lack of change; may God have mercy on them for distorting His Word so shamefully.
3. We are to give preference to other people, (Romans 12:10). We all like to have things our way, but it is the spoiled immature person who cannot set that aside and act in godly love and maturity deferring to other people.
4. A humble person is teachable, able, and willing to learn God’s Ways (Psalm 25:9). The author addresses this very sternly, so I will merely quote her here.
“God does not illumine His precious truths to those who are arrogant know-it-alls.
Peace, Martha. Attitudes of a Transformed Heart. Focus Publishing. Kindle Edition.
5. We are to actually put on humility, we are to have a heart of humility, it is a choice, (Colossians 3:12).
6. The humbler we are the more pleased God is and the more He will reward our obedience, (1 Peter 5:5-7). God’s grace and exaltation follow humility.
7. God dwells with the humble, (Isaiah 57:15).
8. God gives grace (favor and undeserved blessing) to the humble, (James 4:6). It takes a humble person to be willing to accept that doing things God’s Way is always best and trusting Him will never fail them. Proud people do not listen, they know it all, they know what is best in every circumstance without consulting God. These people have problems with everyone because they are the problem.
Pride never ceases until humility replaces it, which can only happen by God’s grace. With that said, God’s grace to remove pride and replace it with humility is there for the asking by any person who knows Jesus personally. The following is a prayer that God will never say no to.
Father God, I come to you in Jesus' name. I thank you that you are the God of the impossibilities in life. I thank you that you regenerate and sanctify your people. I ask you today to do in my what is impossible for me but completely possible for you, as nothing is impossible for you God. I ask you to gently remove my pride and replace it with godly humility that my character may be honoring to you and bring glory to you. I thank you for doing this work within my spirit, heart, mind, and life. Forgive me for my pride and cleanse me from all the unrighteousness of this horrible sin. I love Lord, in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen and Amen.