What is
Humility?
John
8:28–29, 50 “I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I
speak these things … for I do always those things that please him. … And I seek
not mine own glory.”
Preach My Gospel, Chapter 6: Humility is:
·
willingness to
submit to the will of the Lord
·
to give the Lord the
honor for what is accomplished.
·
It includes
gratitude for His blessings
·
acknowledgment of
your constant need for His divine help.
Meekness
The Greek rendition of the word "meek" in the New
Testament, by the way, is “gentle and humble.” Actually, meekness is not
an attribute which is essential only in itself, said Moroni. It is also vital
because one cannot develop
those other crucial virtues—faith, hope, and charity—without meekness. In the ecology of the eternal
attributes, these cardinal characteristics are inextricably bound up together.
Among them, meekness is often the initiator, facilitator, and consolidator.
Meekness, however, is more than self-restraint; it is the
presentation of self in a posture of kindness and gentleness, reflecting
certitude, strength, serenity, and a healthy self-esteem and self-control.
Furthermore, not only are the meek less easily offended, but they are less
likely to give offense to others. Meekness also cultivates in us a generosity
in viewing the mistakes and imperfections of others.
Meekness is a defining attribute of the Redeemer and
is distinguished by righteous responsiveness, willing submissiveness, and
strong self-restraint.
The Christlike quality of meekness often is
misunderstood in our contemporary world. Meekness is strong, not weak; active,
not passive; courageous, not timid; restrained, not excessive; modest, not
self-aggrandizing; and gracious, not brash. A meek person is not easily
provoked, pretentious, or overbearing and readily acknowledges the
accomplishments of others.
Whereas humility generally denotes dependence upon
God and the constant need for His guidance and support, a distinguishing
characteristic of meekness is a particular spiritual receptivity to learning
both from the Holy Ghost and from people who may seem less capable,
experienced, or educated, who may not hold important positions, or who
otherwise may not appear to have much to contribute.
How do I get Humility?
·
Fast
& Pray –
o
Helaman 3:35 “Nevertheless they did fast and
pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and
firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and
consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts,
which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto
God."
·
Remember
–
o
Alma 62:49 -50 "But notwithstanding their
riches, or their strength, or their prosperity, they were not lifted up in the
pride of their eyes; neither were they slow to remember the Lord their God; but
they did humble themselves exceedingly before him. Yea, they did remember how
great things the Lord had done for them, that he had delivered them from death,
and from bonds, and from prisons, and from all manner of afflictions, and he
had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies."
o
Mosiah 4:11–12 I would that ye should remember, and always retain in
remembrance, the greatness of God, and our own nothingness, and his goodness
and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even
in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily. And behold, I
say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the
love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins.
·
Listen to
the Word
o
Alma 48:20 “And thus they went forth, and the
people did humble themselves because of their words, insomuch that they were
highly favored of the Lord,"
·
Acknowledge
that my Strength Comes from the Lord
o
Alma 26:12 Yea, I know that I
am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but
I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold,
many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his
name forever.
o
What are the signs
that I am Humble?
·
“Seeketh
not her own” Moroni 7
o
Helaman 5:8 "that ye may not do these
things that ye may boast, but that ye may do these things to lay up for
yourselves a treasure in heaven, yea, which is eternal, and which fadeth not
away; yea, that ye may have that precious gift"
o John
7:16,18 “My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. … He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own
glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and
no unrighteousness is in him”
·
Listens to
the Counsel of the Lord
o 2 Nephi 9:28–29 When they are learned they think they are wise, and they
hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know
of themselves. But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of
God.
·
Accepts His Will
o Matthew 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and
prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me:
nevertheless not as I will, but as thou
wilt.
·
Accepts Corrections – Doesn’t Take the Word to
be Hard
o 1 Nephi 16:1–3 And now my brethren, if ye were righteous and were willing to
hearken to the truth, and give heed unto it, that ye might walk uprightly
before God, then ye would not murmur because of the truth, and say: Thou
speakest hard things against us.
o Proverbs 15:10 Correction is grievous unto him
that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
What Blessings Come from
Humility?
·
Mosiah 4:11–12 Humble
yourselves even in the depths of
humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly
in the faith of that which is to come. If ye do this ye shall always rejoice,
and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins;
and he shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in
the knowledge of that which is just and true.
·
Alma 32:1–16 And now when Alma heard this, he turned him about, his
face immediately towards him, and he beheld with great joy; for he beheld that
their afflictions had truly humbled
them, and that they were in a preparation to hear the word.
14 And now, as I said unto you, that because ye were
compelled to be humble ye were blessed, do ye not suppose that they are more
blessed who truly humble themselves
because of the word?
Therefore, blessed are they who humble themselves without
being compelled to be humble; or rather, in other words, blessed is he that
believeth in the word of God, and is baptized without stubbornness of heart,
yea, without being brought to know the word, or even compelled to know, before
they will believe.
How can
you recognize pride in yourself?
1 Nephi 15:7–11 Behold, I said unto them: How
is it that ye do not keep the commandments of the Lord? How is it that ye will
perish, because of the hardness of your hearts? Do ye not remember the things
which the Lord hath said?—If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in
faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my
commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you.
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