Category: humble

Humility

Ruth Kirk

Image: OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay

Always be humble and gentle
(Ephesians 4:2; NLT).

The Bible tells us that God wants us to grow in humility. Mother Theresa of Calcutta, who is now a Saint, saw the process of learning to become more humble as a set of specific, concrete measures we can practice every day.

Her advice is easy to understand, but much harder to follow. Over time, though, by embracing her approach and making it our own, we can gradually learn to respond to people and events with greater acceptance and humility.

I first posted these teachings as a series of daily quotations on Twitter and Facebook. When that project was complete, I decided to draw them together, and make them available here.

Each quotation is followed by an illustrative verse from the Bible or few words of clarification. I hope very much that you will find Mother Theresa’s clear, practical advice as helpful as I do.

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1. Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters:
You must all be quick to listen
[and] slow to speak
(James 1:19; NLT).

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2. Aspire to live quietly,
to mind your own affairs,
and to work with your own hands
(1 Thessalonians 4:10; RSV).

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3. You should mind your own business
(1 Thessalonians 4:11; NIV).

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4. They have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things
(2 Timothy 4:3; NET).

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5. Be patient with each other,
making allowance for each other’s faults
because of your love
(Ephesians 4:2; NLT).

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6. Whoever learns from correction is wise
(Proverbs 15:5; NLT).

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7. How can you say to your brother,
‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’
when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?
You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye,
and then you will see clearly to remove the speck
from your brother’s eye
(Matthew 7:4-5; NIV).

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8. Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.
For you will be treated as you treat others.
The standard you use in judging
is the standard by which you will be judged
(Matthew 7:1-2; NLT).

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9. He was oppressed and treated harshly,
yet he never said a word
(Isaiah 53:7; NLT).

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1o. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
yet he never said a word
(Isaiah 53:7; NLT).

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11. The wisdom from above is first of all pure.
It is also peace-loving,
gentle at all times,
and willing to yield to others
(James 3:17; NLT).

NB: This doesn’t mean letting people walk all over you. It means letting others choose, and gladly going along with their choice, rather than insisting on having your own way.

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12. He was despised and we did not care
(Isaiah 53:3; NLT).

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13. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way
(Isaiah 53:3; NLT).

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14. A gentle answer deflects anger,
but harsh words make tempers flare
(Proverbs 15:1; NLT).

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15. They brag loudly about themselves
(Jude 1:16; NLT).

Don’t do your good deeds publicly,
to be admired by others
(Matthew 6:1; NLT).

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16. Whoever wants to be first among you
must be the slave of all
(Mark 10:44; NET).

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17. Do not be wise in your own opinion
(Romans 12:16; NKJV).

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18. Even the Son of Man came not to be served
but to serve others,
and to give his life as a ransom for many
(Matthew 20:28; NLT).

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Reference

All the quotations used here can be found by doing a Google search for: “Mother Theresa humility list”. I am very grateful to Mother for putting her advice list together, and to all those who circulate various versions of it online.

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May I walk

Ruth Kirk

Image: Sergei Tokmakov, Pixabay

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In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth
(Genesis 1:1; NLT).

Father,

1. May I walk with care,
For all the earth is sacred.

2. May I walk with tears of joy,
For I am heaven-bound.

3. May I walk with deep respect,
For you, Lord, live in all you make.

4. May I walk with humble love,
For I’m on holy ground.

Image: Jasmin Sessler, Pixabay

References

1. The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it (Genesis 2:15; NIV).

The whole earth is filled with his glory! (Isaiah 6:3; NLT).

2. Tears of joy will stream down their faces, and I will lead them home with great care (Jeremiah 31:9; NLT).

The dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NLT).

3. I am the Lord, who made all things (Isaiah 44:24; NLT).

God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good (Genesis 1:31; NLT).

There is […] one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:5-6; NLT).

4. Walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8; NLT).

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children, and walk in the way of love (Ephesians 5:2; NIV).

“Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground” (Exodus 3:5; NLT).

This little cross

Ruth Kirk

Image: Ruth Kirk

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Keep on seeking, and you will find
(Matthew 7:7; NLT).

1. Lord,
I saw this little cross,
As I walked
In the rain today,

2. Pointing straight ahead –
A symbol
Showing me
Your humble way.

3. When I saw
This little cross,
It deeply touched
My heart and mind,

4. Reminding me of you –
A sign
That all of us can seek,
And find.

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord (Jeremiah 29:13-14; NIV).

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Love God

Ruth Kirk


Image: Mabel Amber, Pixabay

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The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love
(Galatians 5:6; NIV).

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1. Love God, and all.
Give thanks, and pray.

2. Rejoice; forgive;
And serve, each day.

3. Be kind, and humble.
Bear your cross;

4. And follow Christ
Through every loss.

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References

1. Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these” (Mark 12:29-31; NLT).

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; NIV).

2. If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you
(Matthew 6:14; NLT).

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35; NIV).

3. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone (2 Timothy 2:24; NLT).

Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves (Philippians 2:3; NLT).

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23; NLT).

4. God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example and you must follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21; NLT).

Humility

Ruth Kirk

Image: TheRevSteve, Creative Commons

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The Lord – who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him
as we are changed into his glorious image
(2 Corinthians 3:18; NLT).

1. Help me, Lord, to be more humble
In my thoughts, and words, and deeds.
Then I’ll grow more like your Son,
And concentrate on others’ needs.

2. Help me to be more forgiving
When I’m wrongfully accused.
Then I’ll grow more like your Son,
And turn my cheek when I am bruised.

3. Help me, Lord, to be more loving
To all those whose path I cross.
Then I’ll grow more like your Son,
And gladly share their pain and loss.

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References

1. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves (Philippians 2:3; NLT).

He gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being (Philippians 2:7; NLT).

 Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35; NIV).

2. If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you (Matthew 6:14; NLT).

He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered (1 Peter 2:23; NLT).

If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also (Luke 6:29; NLT).

3. Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them (Romans 12:9; NLT).

In all their suffering he also suffered (Isaiah 63:9; NLT).

Mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15; NRSV).

Inner space

Ruth Kirk


Image: geralt, Pixabay

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1. You alone
Give inner space,
Faith, forgiveness, Lord,
And grace

2. To help us serve you
Every day,
By following
Your humble way.

3. You alone
Give inner peace,
Love, acceptance,
And release

4. From every weakness,
Fear, and sin,
For you, our Saviour,
Live within.

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References

1. It is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8; NIV).

He forgives all my sins (Psalm 103:2; NLT).

2. You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him (Luke 4:8; NLT).

Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9; NLT).

3. Peace I leave you; my peace I give you (John 14:27; NIV).

He loves us with unfailing love (Psalm 117:2; NLT).

4. The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness (Romans 8:26; NLT).

You will stand firm and without fear (Job 11:15; NIV).

You have been set free from sin (Romans 6:18; NIV).

You are the temple of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16; NLT).

Christ lives within you (Romans 8:10; NLT).

You have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you (1 John 2:27; NLT).

Your way

Ruth Kirk

Image: Yves Bernardi, Pixabay


Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart
(Matthew 11:9; NLT).

1. Please guide me
On your gentle way,
In all I think, and say, and do.
Then I will gladly serve all those
Whose lives I touch, Lord,
Just like you,

2. Please lead me
On your humble way,
And let me share your heart and mind.
Then I will gladly love all those
I meet, Lord,
And all humankind.

3. Please keep me
On your narrow way,
Although its comforts may be few.
Then I will gladly be the slave
Of everyone, Lord,
Just like you.

 

References

1. Be gentle to all (2 Timothy 2:24; NKJV).

We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5; NIV).

I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say (Psalm 39:1; NLT).

Do everything with love (1 Corinthians 16:14; NLT).

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35; NIV).

Even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others (Mark 10:45; NLT).

2. Strive to be humble (Zephaniah 2:3; NET).

Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble (Zechariah 9:9; NLT).

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5; NKJV).

The Lord – who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image (2 Corinthians 3:18; NLT).

May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow (1 Thessalonians 3:12; NLT).

3. The gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life (Matthew 7:14; NASB).

Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head (Luke 9:58; NKJV).

Whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else (Mark 10:44; NLT).

Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross (Philippians 2:6-8; NLT).