Steve Viars
Planning to Grow
The Stewardship of Your Humility
Proverbs 29:23 - A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.
Proverbs 16:18 - Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.
"The sad fact is that none of us are immune to the logic-defying, blinding effects of pride. Though it shows up in
different forms and to differing degrees, it infects us all. The real issue here is not if pride exists in your heart;
it's where pride exists and how pride is being expressed in your life. Scripture shows us that pride is being
expressed in your life. Scripture shows us that pride is strongly and dangerously rooted in all our lives, far more
than most of us care to admit or even think about" (Humility, C.J. MaHaney, p. 29).
Matthew 11:29 - “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will
find rest for your souls.
3 truths to help us be more like our humble Savior
I. Humility is Built on a Foundation of Proper Submission
A. The identity of the elders in verse 5 is connected to the previous discussion in verses 1-4
B. This principle is consistent with what Scripture teaches in general about submission to those who are older
1. Age is often a sign of wisdom
Proverbs 16:31 - A gray head is a crown of glory; it is found in the way of righteousness.
2. Children are to honor their parents – Ephesians 6:2
Ephesians 6:1-2 - Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother
(which is the first commandment with a promise).
3. Older people are to teach younger people in the church – Titus 2:1-6
4. Younger people who ignore the wisdom of those who are older are condemned in God’s Word
I Kings 12:8 - But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the
young men who were grown up with him, and who stood before him.
C. Rebellion should be one of our greatest enemies
1. The essence of Satan’s fall
Isaiah 14:12-14 - How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have
been cut down to the earth, you who have weakened the nations! But you said in your heart, “I will
ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit on the mount of assembly in
the recesses of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most
High.”
2. Rebellion is the core issue in the fall of man
3. Rebellion is a central building block in human civilization
cf. the Tower of Babel – Genesis 11
Romans 1:21 - For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they
became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
4. Especially prevalent during the end times
2 Timothy 3:1-5 - But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of
self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving,
irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless,
conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; holding to a form of godliness, although they have
denied its power; and avoid such men as these.
5. Submission is a central attribute of Jesus Christ
Philippians 2:5-8 - Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus…He humbled Himself by
becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
6. Submission is the starting point in establishing a personal relationship with God
Romans 10:9-10 - That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God
raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness,
and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
1 Peter 5:5 - You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with
humility toward one another…
II. Humility is a Job for All of Us
A. For how many?
5:5 - and all of you
B. Do what?
5:5 - clothe yourselves
C. With what?
5:5 - all of you clothe yourselves with humility
Greek – tapeino-phrosunen
“of low position, lowly, undistinguished, of no account”
D. Edmond Hiebert - “The term does not involve an attitude of self-disparagement or servility, but
willingness to assume a lowly position to serve others. It is the opposite of self-exaltation, which is the
very essence of sin.”
R.C. Trench – Synonyms of the New Testament points out that the very word “is itself a fruit of the Gospel;
no Greek writer employed it before the Christian era, nor, apart from the influence of Christian writers,
after.”
D. To whom?
5:5 - all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another…
III. Humility, or the Lack Thereof, Has Significant Consequences
A. God Opposes the proud
5:5 - …all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud
B. He gives grace to the humble
5:5 - …all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but
gives grace to the humble.