The Wisdom of Humility Proverbs 11:2 · Join the Journey

As you are trying to teach a child to tie his shoe; as you’ll reach down to help him may slap your hand away. He could try to make a bow for the next century, and he would never make a bow because he doesn’t know how. But there's an instinct inside of him that says, “I don't want to be a person who needs help.” And so, we’re confronted with this life that God says, “This is the good life, this is the rich life. It’s lived in humble recognition of God’s position, God’s authority, and your desperate need of Him.

Our children may never come to us and say, “Dad, if you could just control me more, if you would just command me more, if you would just take greater charge over my life, I would be so happy.” But it's natural for your child to resist that; it’s natural for your child to act like they know things they don't know. And often we do the same with God.

Today we are going to see the wisdom of humility and see some steps we can take to humble ourselves. All throughout Proverbs and scripture is a call to fight pride and to humble ourselves.

Last week we saw the power of our words. Words can heal or hurt, build up or tear down and the choice is ours what we will do with our words. But we said if we want to be wise with our words, we must be quick to listen and slow to speak. We should think before we speak. Is it True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, and Kind? We should speak the truth in love to reflect Jesus with our words. Let’s see God’s wisdom for humility.

If you have your bibles turn with me to Proverbs 11. If you don’t have a bible we have some on the back table. If you are looking for Proverbs its about half way in your bible, it comes right after Psalms and right before Ecclesiastes.

Proverbs 11:2

Pride brings disgrace, but humility brings wisdom.

Proverbs 16:18-19

Proverbs 16:18–19

Before destruction, pride goes; before a fall, a haughty spirit. These are the end results of pride and arrogance. Because pride is a reliance on self and humility is a reliance on God.

Proverbs 3:34

Both James and Peter quote this verse in the New Testament. Because God opposes the Proud and shows favor or gives grace to the humble. This is true but why does God hate pride so much?

Paul Tripp put’s well, “because a proud man is a man who lacks fear of God; and because he lacks fear of God, he doesn't worship God as he should; and because he doesn't worship God as he should, he doesn't submit to God as he should; and because he doesn't submit to God as he should, he doesn't obey God as he should; and because he doesn’t obey God as he should, he wants his own way instead of God's way; and because of that, his life is moving away from the Lord, away from God’s honor, and away from that rich experience of life that God promises those who will humble themselves before Him. In that way, every Proverb is an invitation to a humble life.”

Proverbs makes it clear: pride always leads to downfall because it replaces dependence on God with dependence on self, and we will always let ourselves down — but humility brings wisdom, because it keeps God in His rightful place. Pride says, ‘I can do this without God.’ Humility says, ‘I can’t do anything apart from God.

CS Lewis said, “As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on thing and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down you cannot see something that is above you.”

Pride puts ourselves in God’s place, but humility puts God in God’s place.

1 Peter 5:5-7

1 Peter 5:5–7

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” o

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

God cares for you. Cast your anxieties on Him. Trust God and not yourselves. Humble yourself before God and He will lift you up.

When the angel tells Mary that she had been chosen to be the mother of the Jesus, she breaks into this beautiful song.

Luke 1:46-55

Luke 1:46–55

“My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

Mary was living out this truth. God opposes the proud but exalts the humble.

So Proverbs gives us the principle — humility leads to wisdom. But the New Testament shows us how to live that out. Humility isn’t just an attitude; it’s a way of thinking.

The Mindset of Humility

Romans 12:3

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

Humility begins with right thinking.

It’s not self-hatred; it’s self-awareness in light of God’s grace.

Rick Warren Said, ““True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”

Humility recognizes that all we have is a gift.

Our talents, positions, and opportunities are not earned—they’re entrusted to us by God.

Humility builds community.

When we see ourselves rightly, we can love others freely and serve them joyfully.

A mirror only reflects what’s there — humility lets us see ourselves clearly in the mirror of God’s truth.

If humility begins in the mind, it must also show up in how we live. Jesus gives us a perfect picture of what humility looks like in action.

The Posture of Humility

Jesus and his disciples were at a religious leader’s house one Sabbath. These religious leaders had already tried to trap Jesus by asking him if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath. Jesus doesn’t answer them with words but with His actions. There was man who was there that was suffering. And Jesus heals the man and sends him away. The Pharisees were known for the pride and arrogance and so it would be a perfect time for Jesus to teach His disciples about humility.

Jesus notices that certain people were being picked for the places of honor at the dinner table. So he tells this parable to teach about humility.

Luke 14:8–11

8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

When was the last time you fought to be noticed instead of choosing to serve?

Jesus shows humility in everyday life.

Choosing the lower seat at the table is more than manners—it’s a heart posture.

Humility trusts God to do the exalting.

You don’t have to fight for recognition when you trust God with your reputation.

Pride grabs for status; humility waits for God’s invitation.

It’s better to be called up than told to move down — both in a banquet and in life.

How would your home or workplace change if everyone took the lower seat?

If you want to humble yourself, start with the right mindset and posture — and follow the example of the One who put others first and Himself last.

Put others first. And you last.

Philippians 2:3–11

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—

even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Have the same mindset as Christ Jesus…

Jesus is our model.

He had every right to cling to equality with God, but He chose to serve. Follow His example.

Humility requires surrender.

Jesus “made Himself nothing” — He laid down privilege to pick up purpose.

God exalted Him in the end.

The path down is the path up in the Kingdom of God. Humility is not weakness; it’s the strength to stoop so that others can rise.

At Journey Church, we don’t just talk about humility — we live it. We follow Jesus’ example by serving the hurting, the needy, and the lost. When we put others first, we show our city what the humility of Jesus looks like in action.

So where is pride hiding in your life today? Is it in your marriage, your workplace, or maybe in how you see your need for God?

This week here is how you and I can live out humility

1. Check your mindset.

Ask: Am I seeing myself through pride or through grace?

Practice gratitude — it’s hard to be prideful when you’re thankful. Thank God for all that has, is and will do in your life. Humility is like cleaning the mirror of your heart — it helps you see God clearly and reflect Him more brightly.

2. Take the lower seat.

Choose to serve rather than to be seen. In meetings, at home, at church — let others go first. Put their needs over your own.

3. Honor others above yourself.

Look for opportunities to build others up, not outshine them (Romans 12:10).

Romans 12:10

4. Follow Jesus’ example daily.

Start your prayers with surrender: “Lord, make me more like Jesus today.” Remember: humility is not a moment — it’s a mindset.

“You can’t be full of God if you’re full of yourself.”

The call to humility is not to think less of yourself, but to make more room for God to work through you. When we lower ourselves, God lifts us up. When we serve others, God’s glory shines brightest.

The first step of humility is to admit that you can’t save yourself. It’s humbling yourself before Jesus — repenting of your sins, trusting in His grace, and letting Him make you new through baptism. The way up is still down — surrendering your life to the One who gave His for you.