In Proverbs, chapter twenty-seven, verse twenty-one, the praise we receive from others tests our hearts; However, will we respond in humility or pride? An attitude of pride reveals self-deception in our hearts, for we do not realize that what we are and what we have done are mainly due to God and others. However, due to the innate self-centeredness of fallen humanity, the world does not highly regard humility. Yet the Bible’s self-centered view of humanity and salvation places the utmost importance on humility. To be humble means to be conscious of our weaknesses and quick to give credit to God and others for what we accomplish.
Believers must be humble because we are sinful apart from Christ and can boast in nothing except in the Lord. Saints are dependent on God for their worth and fruitfulness and can accomplish nothing of lasting good without the help of God and the help of others. God delights in those who walk humbly. He gives an increase of grace to the humble, but opposes the proud, as in James four, verse six. As believers, we must live in humility toward one another, considering others more important than ourselves.
The opposite of humility is pride and arrogance, a haughty spirit, and an exaggerated sense of self-importance; Pride often gloats over one’s personal merit, superiority, and accomplishments. The inevitable tendency of human nature and the world is toward pride, not humility.
Our actions should not be for praise or self-glory, but must flow from our commitment to God, His Word, and His kingdom. When we pass through the test of praise, it confirms that we are living to please God rather than other humans and that our hearts are pure and our spirits one with God. To praise God is better than receiving self-praise.