PROVERBS: SKILL FOR LIVING IN GOD’S WORLD

Humility and Life

Proverbs 22:4

Nick Ford, Lead Pastor

August 20, 2017

The reward for humility and fear of theLord
isriches and honor and life. (Proverbs 22:4)

HUMILITY

What is it?

The fear of theLordis the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction. (1:7)

The fear of theLordis the beginning of wisdom,
andthe knowledge of the Holy One is insight. (9:10)

  • Humility is a heart attitude.
  • Humility is seeing yourself accurately.
  • Humility is a result of fearing the Lord.

Why does it matter?

  • Without humility, you remain separated from God.

Blessed is the one whofears theLordalways,
but whoeverhardens his heart will fall into calamity. (28:14)

  • Without humility, you miss out on true significance.

The fear of theLordis instruction in wisdom,
andhumility comes before honor. (15:33)

Before destruction a man's heart is haughty,
buthumility comes before honor. (18:12)

One's pride will bring him low,
but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. (29:23)

  • Without humility, you are on a path to destruction.

Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall. (16:18)

Whoevertrusts in his own mind is a fool,
but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. (28:26)

There are those who areclean in their own eyes
but are not washed of their filth. (30:12)

All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but theLordweighs the spirit. (16:2)

There is a way that seems right to a man,
butits end is the way to death. (14:12)

How does it work?

  • Humility reveres the Word.

Whoeverdespisesthe wordbrings destruction on himself,
but he who reveres the commandmentwill berewarded. (13:13)

  • Humility listens to correction.

The ear that listens tolife-giving reproof
will dwell among the wise. (15:31)

  • Humility confesses sin.

Whoeverconceals his transgressions will not prosper,
but he whoconfesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. (28:13)

Where did it come from?

Though [Christ Jesus]was inthe form of God, [he] did not count equality with Goda thing to be grasped,7butemptied himself, by taking the form of aservant,being born in the likeness of men.8And being found in human form, he humbled himself bybecoming obedient to the point of death,even death on a cross.9ThereforeGod hashighly exalted him and bestowed on himthe name that is above every name,10so that at the name of Jesusevery knee should bow,in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11andevery tongue confess that Jesus Christ isLord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:6-11)