HUMBLENESS OF MIND
“…be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility…”
—1 Peter 5:5
THE WORD HUMILITY in Scripture means “humbleness of mind.” It’s a character quality that can best be summarized by Romans 12:3, “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly.” An excellent example of humility is found in the words of the prophet Samuel when he addressed King Saul, “When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the LORD anoint you king over Israel?” (1 Sam. 15:17). “Little in your own eyes” is a wonderful description of a humble person.
HOWEVER, HUMILITY is not popular in our world because humility only thrives in a society that honors God. When God is dishonored then humility is despised and belittled, and man’s sinful pride is exalted. And because our world is hostile to God, humility is ridiculed by our society. Nevertheless, Scripture calls every believer to “be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).
THIS TEXT IS completely foreign to our culture, but it’s essential in the Christian life if we are going to glorify Christ and live as salt of the earth and light for a perishing world (Matt. 5:13-14). Notice what Peter says, "Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another.” One key element to a life of humility is submission. A person who is unwilling to submit to others is a person filled with pride, which is contrary to the virtue of humility. Jesus demonstrated a life of humility when He submitted to His heavenly Father. He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done” (Matthew 26:42). And the writer to the Hebrews wrote this about Jesus, “Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book’” (Heb. 10:7). You see, an attitude of submission is produced by an attitude of humility, and true humility is demonstrated in at least two ways: obedience to God’s Word, and esteeming others better than yourself. On the other hand, a non-submissive, rebellious attitude is produced by pride, and pride is manifested by a person who rebels against God’s Word, and esteems other people lower than himself.
THE WORD "CLOTHED" in our text literally means to tie something on with a knot. What Peter has in mind here is the work apron of a slave, which was put on over the outer clothes to keep them clean. It became the word for putting on humble service. Peter is saying to believers, ‘Clothe yourself in a garment of humble service by putting on the apron of a slave and serving others.’ To clothe yourself with humility is to put on the attitude of lowly-mindedness, which is best exemplified by Jesus in John 13:3-5, “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.” And Scripture says to every believer, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5). Remember also the words of the Lord at Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
DEAR CHRISTIAN, are you striving to walk in humility? Are you endeavoring to keep on continually being clothed with humility, which is nothing other than Christlikeness? Pray the Holy Spirit strengthens you daily for a walk that glorifies Christ, a simple walk of humble service towards God and neighbor.
Friday Devotional: June 6, 2025
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry
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DEPRESSION is a sad reality in this fallen, sin-cursed world. However, the remedy is not found in the world’s gimmicks or brain numbing synthetic medication. Hope is found alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He alone can bring healing, hope, joy, peace and contentment. He alone can give you purpose in life. He alone can reconcile sinners to the Holy God of heaven and earth! Look to Jesus and be saved all ye ends of the earth! Are you heavy laden and weary? Come to Jesus! He will never turn you away but He will take you up in His loving and healing arms!
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“Put that on mine account.”
—Philemon vs.18
"When St. Paul asked Philemon, in a most beautiful letter, to take back Onesimus, who had run away from him, he said, “If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on my account.” Onesimus had been a bad servant to Philemon; and being willing to come back and do better, would not pay for what he had wronged him in before, and would not pay his old debts. And he evidently had nothing himself to pay them with. But St. Paul offered to pay all, so that Onesimus might be received, “not now as a servant,” but as a “brother beloved.” This is an exquisite picture of what the Lord Jesus Christ does. He not only intercedes for us with Him from whom we have departed, and against whom we have sinned; but, knowing to the full how much we have wronged God, and how much we owe Him, He says, “Put that on mine account.” And God has put it all on His account and the account has been paid, paid in blood. When “the Lord laid on Him the iniquity of us all,” Jesus saw and knew all your sins; and He said, “Put that on mine account.” Oh, what wonderful “kindness and love of God our Saviour!”
—Francis Ridley Havergal
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