The Search for Humility

ESV6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.The MessageIt's common knowledge that “God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.” So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him make himself scarce. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time.

ESVFor the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.NLTFor the Lord delights in his people;     he crowns the humble with victory.

ESVBut the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.NLTThe lowly will possess the land     and will live in peace and prosperity.

ESVBecause your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this place and its inhabitants, and you have humbled yourself before me and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the Lord.The Message‘Because you took seriously the doom of judgment I spoke against this place and people, and because you responded in humble repentance, tearing your robe in dismay and weeping before me, I'm taking you seriously.

ESVAll these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.NLTMy hands have made both heaven and earth;    they and everything in them are mine.[a]     I, the Lord, have spoken!“I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts,    who tremble at my word.

ESVGood and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. NLTThe Lord is good and does what is right;     he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right,     teaching them his way.

ESV6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.The Message6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 

ESVThe reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.The MessageThe payoff for meekness and Fear-of-God    is plenty and honor and a satisfying life.

ESV10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”The Message10-11 “When you're invited to dinner, go and sit at the last place. Then when the host comes he may very well say, ‘Friend, come up to the front.' That will give the dinner guests something to talk about! What I'm saying is, If you walk around all high and mighty, you're going to end up flat on your face. But if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself.”

ESVWhen I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. The Message If I ever shut off the supply of rain from the skies or order the locusts to eat the crops or send a plague on my people, and my people, my God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I'll be there ready for you: I'll listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and restore their land to health.

In the season 5 trailer, we will explore the "Rewards of Humility".  This will be the last season of the Search for Humility.  Grateful for everyone being on the journey!

ESV“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.The Message“When you do something for someone else, don't call attention to yourself. You've seen them in action, I'm sure—‘playactors' I call them—treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that's all they get. When you help someone out, don't think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.

ESVLove one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.The MessageBe good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

ESVJoseph answered Pharaoh, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.”The MessageJoseph answered, “Not I, but God. God will set Pharaoh's mind at ease.”

ESVNow the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.The MessageNow the man Moses was a quietly humble man, more so than anyone living on Earth.

ESV14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.The MessageBless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.

ESVHe 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?The MessageBut he's already made it plain how to live, what to do,     what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,     be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don't take yourself too seriously—     take God seriously.

ESVSo if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.The MessageIf you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

In this episode I will discuss what's coming in Season 4 - "Humility in Community".

ESVFinally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.The MessageSumming up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing.

ESVAnd you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.NLT2 Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands. 3 Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

ESVTo speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.The MessageNo insults, no fights. God's people should be bighearted and courteous.

ESVThe greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. The MessageDo you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.

ESVAs God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.The MessageSo, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.

ESVTherefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. The MessageSo throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.

ESVI therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace The MessageIn light of all this, here's what I want you to do. While I'm locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.

ESVAt that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. The MessageAt about the same time, the disciples came to Jesus asking, “Who gets the highest rank in God's kingdom?”For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, “I'm telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you're not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God's kingdom. 

ESVLet another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.The MessageDon't call attention to yourself;     let others do that for you.

ESVThe fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.The MessageFear-of-God is a school in skilled living—    first you learn humility, then you experience glory.

ESVSeek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord.The MessageSeek God, all you quietly disciplined people     who live by God's justice. Seek God's right ways. Seek a quiet and disciplined life.     Perhaps you'll be hidden on the Day of God's anger. 

ESVHumble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.NLT  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

In this episode we learn about Season 3 - "The Fight for Humility".

ESVFor by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. The MessageI'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.

ESVTwo things I ask of you;     deny them not to me before I die:Remove far from me falsehood and lying;     give me neither poverty nor riches;     feed me with the food that is needful for me,lest I be full and deny you     and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal     and profane the name of my God.The MessageAnd then he prayed, “God, I'm asking for two things     before I die; don't refuse me— Banish lies from my lips     and liars from my presence. Give me enough food to live on,     neither too much nor too little. If I'm too full, I might get independent,     saying, ‘God? Who needs him?' If I'm poor, I might steal     and dishonor the name of my God.”

ESVPride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.The MessageFirst pride, then the crash—     the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.It's better to live humbly among the poor     than to live it up among the rich and famous.

ESVFor you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.The MessageIt is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows.

ESVThe fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.The MessageThe Fear-of-God means hating Evil,     whose ways I hate with a passion—     pride and arrogance and crooked talk.

ESVThe way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.The MessageFools are headstrong and do what they like;     wise people take advice.

ESVNow I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.The MessageAnd that's why I'm singing—I, Nebuchadnezzar—singing and praising the King of Heaven:“Everything he does is right,     and he does it the right way. He knows how to turn a proud person     into a humble man or woman.”

ESVFor though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.New Living TranslationThough the Lord is great, he cares for the humble,     but he keeps his distance from the proud. 

ESVThe Lord lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground.The MessageGod puts the fallen on their feet again     and pushes the wicked into the ditch.

ESVWhen pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.The MessageThe stuck-up fall flat on their faces,     but down-to-earth people stand firm.

ESVIf I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.The MessageIf I have to “brag” about myself, I'll brag about the humiliations that make me like Jesus.

In this episode, we will preview Season 2 - The Dangers of Pride.

Hebrews 12:2ESVFixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.The MessageKeep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.

John 13:5ESVThen he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.The MessageSo he got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron.

Matthew 3:13-15ESV13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented.The Message13-14 Jesus then appeared, arriving at the Jordan River from Galilee. He wanted John to baptize him. John objected, “I'm the one who needs to be baptized, not you!”15 But Jesus insisted. “Do it. God's work, putting things right all these centuries, is coming together right now in this baptism.” So John did it.

Mark 10:45ESVFor even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”The MessageThat is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage.”

Hebrews 4:15ESVFor we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.The MessageWe don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin.

2 Corinthians 8:9ESVFor you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.The MessageYou are familiar with the generosity of our Master, Jesus Christ. Rich as he was, he gave it all away for us—in one stroke he became poor and we became rich.

Mark 9:35ESVAnd he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”The Message35 He sat down and summoned the Twelve. “So you want first place? Then take the last place. Be the servant of all."