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. (2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV)
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What does it mean when God tells us to humble ourselves? The opposite of humility is pride. When we let ourselves get bogged down in pride, we tend to turn our ears away from the Lord. That is a dangerous place to be because we become focused on our desires and ourselves. Nothing and no one is more important to us. A prideful person has the characteristics of self-centeredness and arrogance. Do you know anyone like this? Is it you? Is it I?
God does not require that we humble ourselves because He is an egotistical taskmaster who seeks glory for Himself. God requires us to humble ourselves so that we can relinquish our pride in order to filled with His Spirit. After all, didn't Jesus Christ himself become humble? Why? Because He loved us and knew that without Him we wouldn't be able to experience His amazing love.
So, when we see God as the giver and sustainer of everything, and we see ourselves as sinful and in need of His presence, we can humble ourselves and put our trust completely in Him. In putting our trust in Him we can give Him all the glory.
Scriptures:
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men... (Philippians 2:3-11 ESV)
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6 ESV)
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:12 ESV)