“By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life” (Proverbs 22:4).

Humility: (Heb. Anavah, from Anav): Gentle in mind; Saintly in circumstance; lowly, meek, poor in spirit

Humility: (Gr. Tapeinophrosune): Humiliation of mind; lowly

The Path of Life is a very different path than the paths of the world. The paths of the world are vanity and vexation of spirit (cf. Ecclesiastes 1:2). The Path of Life may only be walked upon by the humble for it was by humility that we were brought thereto.

Humility is a humiliation of mind. It is in the mind of man wherein proud thoughts lay. The mind left to its own devices will always wander into vanity. The mind must be disciplined, and for the mind the best discipline is humiliation. This will purge the mind of proud thoughts, self-sufficiency, and egotistical thinking. These only lead to death. It is humility that leads to life.

Humility is the counsel of the Apostles:

“Likewise, you younger, submit yourselves to the elder. Yes, all of you be subject one to another and be clothed with humility; for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble” (I Peter 5:5).

“Put on, therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering. . .” (Colossians 3:12).

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind (tapeinophrosune) let each esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3).

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up” (James 4:10).

Humility is the counsel of the Prophets:

“For thus says the High and Lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the High and Holy Place with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isaiah 57:15).

“Say to the king and to the queen, humble yourselves, sit down; for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory” (Jeremiah 13:18).

“And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, ‘Thus says the Lord God of the Hebrews, How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, that they may serve Me'” (Exodus 10:3).

From ages past, to the present and into the future as long as time endures, humility will forever be the Path of Life. Jesus led by example and said, “Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly (tapeinos) in heart, and you shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:29).

From the manger to the cross, Jesus was the humble servant of the Lord. Son of Man and Son of God, in nature the Lamb; exalted to the right hand of the Father forever to reign in Life with those who are of like kind. Worthy is the Lamb.

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