Humility

The Bible calls that people offer an honest appraisal of themselves; or as Paul says, we ought “not to think more highly of yourself than what one ought to think” (Rom 12:3).

Pride, especially the spiritual kind, can prevent people from being used by God. When people begin to be used by God, it is very easy for them to think of themselves too highly. Yet the New Testament itself repeatedly emphasizes that God uses the the unified body of Christian believers at work in the world, as a group, not just as individuals (1 Cor 12).

The Biblical Example of Using God’s Gifts Appropriately

In Acts 3, Peter and John encountered a crucial crossroads in their ministries. Peter commanded a lame beggar, “In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk” (Acts 3:6), and the man was instantly healed. At that point, all of the attention in the temple turned toward Peter and John. They could have used this attention for their personal advantage, but they didn’t; instead, Peter said, “Men and Israelites, why are you astonished at this? Or why are you staring at us, as if by our own power or godliness we have made him walk?” (Acts 3:12).

Peter and John gave God all of the glory. In doing, so Peter and John express integrity and humility, and offer an honest evaluation of themselves.

His Instruments

Christians are meant to be God’s instruments (1 Cor 13; compare Jer 18:4). We shouldn’t praise ourselves—the mere instrument—but the one who uses the instrument, God.

In 1 Corinthians 4:7, Paul puts it this way: “And what do you have that you did not receive? But if indeed you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?”

Skip Heitzig