Peter communicates this descending movement with the concept of humility, a word that comes from humus or “soil.” Let’s be clear about what humility doesn’t mean. Humble people are not absorbed with self-hatred or a lack of self-confidence. Neither do they become the proverbial doormat, allowing everyone they encounter to walk all over them. Nor do they look down on themselves or their abilities. Furthermore, humility is not a call to mediocrity and/or a substandard quality of life.

What Humility Does Mean

Humility means thinking true and realistic thoughts about God and about ourselves. It is the habitual quality whereby we live in the truth, acknowledging that we are created beings and not the Creator, that God is God and we are not. Humble people, therefore, reflect the dignity and grace of God by understanding their proper role. Just as God humbled Himself and became a man, so should we humble ourselves.

Humility is perhaps the most countercultural virtue in all of Scripture, especially for people grasping for the top. So instead of promoting yourself or pushing your agenda at the expense of others, humble yourself before God and others.

Bottom Line

The path to greatness flows downward through humility.