What’s so important about humility?…

What’s so important about humility? In answer a really good question to ask oneself is, “Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble?” (Alma 5:27).

After understanding why we really need humility with these ten great reasons, you can learn ten ways to develop humility.

1. Humility is a Commandment…

Of God’s many commandments one of the most important is to be humble. Without humility why would we obey God’s other commandments? How can we be submissive, gentle, patient, and long-suffering without humility? How can we be willing to do the Lord’s will if our hearts are full of pride? We can’t. We must develop true humility to be able to subject ourselves to all of God’s commands.

“What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Michah 6:8).

2. We Cannot Enter God’s Kingdom Without Humility…

Jesus clearly taught that without humility we cannot enter the kingdom of God. He said:

“Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

“Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 18:3-4).

3. Humility Required for Forgiveness…

To be forgiven of our sins we need to be humble. Developing humility is a part of the repentance process. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin…” (2 Chr 7:14).

4. Humility Needed for Answered Prayers…

If we are to receive answers to our prayers (an important part to receiving personal revelation and knowing the truth) we must be humble.

“Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers” (D&C 112:10).

5. Humility Shows Gratitude…

Giving sincere thanks to God, and others, requires humility. Giving of ourselves with humility is an act of selflessness, but when done so grudgingly it is an act of selfishness.

“For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing.

“For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness.

“For behold, if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God” (Moroni 7:6-8).

6. Humility Opens the Door…

To seek God, and His truths, we must become humble. Without humility God will not open the door, and our seeking will be in vain.

“And whoso knocketh, to him will he open; and the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them” (2 Nephi 9:42).

7. Baptism Requries Humility…

Being baptized is an act of humility as we witness to God by our “works” that we are willing to do His will.

“All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church” (D&C 20:37

8. Humility Protects One from Apostasy

Apostasy is the turning away from God and the true gospel of Jesus Christ. As a humble follower of Christ we will be less likely to go astray (because of pride) if we have enough humility, as prophesied in The Book of Mormon:

“They wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ…” (2 Nephi 28:14).

9. God’s Spirit Leads Us to Humility

Righteously discerning what we should or shouldn’t do in life is often difficult, but we can trust God’s Spirit. One way to recognize His spirit is by what it prompts us to do.

“And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good—yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit” (D&C 11:12).

If we feel prompted to pray, repent, or be humble, we can be sure that those feelings come from God and not from the adversary- who desires to destroy us.

10. Weaknesses Become Strengths…

One of the aspects of humility that I feel is very rewarding during our time on earth, is to be blessed with weaknesses. It’s not that I particularly like weaknesses, because I don’t, but I know they are necessary for us, and are an important part of life’s trials.

“And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them” (Ether 12:27).

Developing sincere humility is a process, not something that is created overnight, but through diligence and faith it can be done- and it’s worth it!

Rather than, “Me first,” humility allows us to say, “No, you first, my friend.”

Humility or humbleness is a quality of being courteously respectful of others. It is the opposite of aggressiveness, arrogance, boastfulness, and vanity. Rather than, “Me first,” humility allows us to say, “No, you first, my friend.” Humility is the quality that lets us go more than halfway to meet the needs and demands of others.

Friendships and marriages are dissolved over angry words. Resentments divide families and co-workers. Prejudice separates race from race and religion from religion. Reputations are destroyed by malicious gossip. Greed puts enmity between rich and poor. Wars are fought over arrogant assertions.

Humility as a virtue is a major theme of both the Old and New Testaments. Why do qualities such as courtesy, patience and deference have such a prominent place in the Bible? It is because a demeanor of humility is exactly what is needed to live in peace and harmony with all persons. Humility dissipates anger and heals old wounds. Humility allows us to see the dignity and worth of all God’s people. Humility distinguishes the wise leader from the arrogant power-seeker.

Acting with humility does not in any way deny our own self worth. Rather, it affirms the inherent worth of all persons. Some would consider humility to be a psychological malady that interferes with “success.” However, wealth, power or status gained at the expense of others brings only anxiety — never peace and love..

Religious humility is sometimes interpreted as false modesty…

Criticisms…

Religious humility is sometimes interpreted as false modesty, especially by critics of religion. When viewed as false modesty it can be construed as a lifetime of mental conditioning whereby the individual takes personal claims of humility to mean that he or she is somehow “special and better than others”. Humility has also been criticized in the movies, the most famous being Blofeld (played by Charles Gray) who declares in the James Bond film Diamonds are Forever that `humility is the worst form of conceit’, which was originally coined by François de La Rochefoucauld.