Some Quotes on Humility

On Sunday we looked at the story of the Syro-Phoenecian woman. I don’t know about you, but I had to wrestle with this text a bit! Jesus seems so harsh and abrupt at first – very different than the gracious Lord we think of ministering to the needy. But as we saw, His seemingly harsh words (“First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” – Mark 7:27) were actually a parable inviting a response of humility and faith from the woman. She saw this (even if the disciples probably did not!) and gave a stunning answer – “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” (Mark 7:28). The answer received Jesus commendation, and her daughter was freed from the demon.

This answer demonstrated both humility and faith. Today I wanted to simply give a few quotes on humility. This is such a tough topic for us – who can claim to have mastered humility?  But it is essential. So to help us think on this, here are a few quotes to understand and grow in humility. I hope they help!

In Christ,

Bret

God sends no one away empty, except those who are full of themselves. – DL Moody

When you perceive that you are being humiliated, look on it as the sign of a sure guarantee that grace is on the way. Just as the heart is puffed up with pride before its destruction, so it is humiliated before being honored… It is the possession of a joyful and genuine humility that alone enables us to receive grace. – Bernard of Clairvaux

“Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real.” – Thomas Merton

“It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.” – Saint Augustine

“True humility is not an abject, groveling, self-despising spirit; it is but a right estimate of ourselves as God sees us.” – Tryon Edwards

If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step. The first step is to realise that one is proud. And a biggish step, too. At least, nothing whatever can be done before it. If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed. – CS Lewis

Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it thinking about yourself less. – Unknown