How to Humble Yourself Before God: 4 Beautiful Ways

If you are wondering how to humble yourself before God, read Arrica’s story filled with Bible verses about the amazing benefits of a humble heart.

A few months ago, our pastor said something on Sunday morning that convicted my heart. He said, “You should be reading the Bible to learn about God and not to see yourself. Everything is about God, not us.”

I had to repent then and there of lacking humility while reading God’s word. So many times, I searched for something for myself or sought to find myself in the words of the Bible.

The Bible is for me but it’s not about me. It’s about God and how I can know Him more. In order to know Him, I must humble myself before my God.

Psalms 25:9 ESV says “He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.” 

What Does the Bible Say About Humbling Yourself?

The Bible mentions humility in some form around 80 times. It’s a posture that Christ himself took when He came into this world and it’s the same attitude God expects from His children.

Consider Philippians 2:5-8 ESV: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Here are a few more scriptures on humility to ponder before we move on:

• The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4 ESV
• When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 ESV
• Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. James 4:10 ESV
• He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 ESV

When it comes to humility, Christ is our model and obedience is our mission.

What Does it Mean to Have a Humble Heart? 

So what does this all mean? What is a humble heart?

A humble heart is quite simply a heart that seeks to follow God’s commands first and put others before ourselves. It’s the opposite of pride.

Jesus told us, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:11 ESV

It’s God’s place to exalt or lift us up if He desires. But, it’s our job to trust, obey, and submit. Not seeking our own fame, fortune, or favor.

The scriptures tell us, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5

How can we Humble Ourselves Before God?

 I mentioned in the beginning that I was challenged to read the Bible seeking to know God more and not selfishly for what it says about me.

So, the next day, I started my Bible reading with a prayer asking God to teach me in humility what the word said about Him.

He gave me some beautiful insight into how I can approach Him in humility as I read the story of Boaz and Ruth.

I would encourage you to read the book of Ruth for yourself, it’s a beautiful story and a pretty short read.

4 Beautiful Ways How to Humble Yourself Before God

#1 Humbly Know Your Position 

“Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me since I am a foreigner?”

Ruth 2:10 ESV

Ruth was a foreigner. Naomi (Ruth’s mother-in-law) had lost her husband and two sons and she was returning to her homeland.

Ruth had married into a Hebrew family while they lived in Moab and chose to follow her back to Israel and serve the One true God.

Before we come to a saving knowledge of Christ, we are in the same place as Ruth. The Bible says we were strangers, aliens, foreigners, who have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

We must bow to the ground in humble repentance and accept the grace of God.

In the same way, we must approach Him in humility remembering that our position before God is that we were invited by our Redeemer to come near, we can adopt a heart of gratitude and service.

#2 Humbly Know Your Purpose 

“But Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before.

The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!” Then she said, “I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, though I am not one of your servants.”

Ruth 2:11-13 ESV

Ruth was a servant. She gleaned behind the servants in Boaz’s field and did not expect any special recognition. She humbly took care of Naomi’s needs as well.

God was looking out for these women who had no husbands for protection or provision. He led Ruth to the field of Boaz who was a distant relative of Naomi’s.

As God’s people, we are called to be servants. Jesus told his disciples, “But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.  For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:44-45 ESV

#3 Humbly Present Yourself

 ^“And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down. At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet!  He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.”

Ruth 3:7-9 ESV

Ruth was submissive. By coming and laying down at Boaz’s feet, Ruth is symbolically proposing marriage to him.

She is letting him know that she is unable to rescue herself and needs his protection and provision as her kinsman redeemer.

The kinsman redeemer is a male relation who had the responsibility to help a relative who was in trouble, danger, or in need, according to the laws of the Old Testament.

The Bible gives us this foreshadowing of Christ who would be the “Kinsman Redeemer” of the whole world.

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”  So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”

Galatians 4:4-7 ESV

It is a declaration of dependency. We approach God telling Him that we know He alone has the power to save us, sustain us, and take care of our individual needs. 

#4 Humbly Let God Produce Fruit 

“So, Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went into her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.”

Ruth 4:13 & 17B ESV

Ruth was blessed. Ruth did not know where her humble submission would take her. God had seen her actions and knew her heart.

He chose to bless her by giving her a great reward. Her lineage would bear not only the kings of Israel but also the King Of Kings.

It’s amazing the way that the Lord can work through a humbly, submissive servant.

He miraculously takes a foreigner, adopts them into His family, and then produces fruit in our lives that build His kingdom. 

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

Colossians 3:23-24 ESV

Prayer to Humble Yourself Before God

Here is a beautiful prayer to help you learn how to humble yourself before God:

God, You are worthy of my humble service. Thank you for Jesus who was the greatest example of humility. Thank you for His humble submission in sacrificing His life so that I might truly live.

Forgive me when I don’t have an attitude of service and humility before you. Teach me to be a grateful, humble, submissive servant who seeks you first and puts others’ needs above my own.

Lord, I want to produce fruit of righteousness for your glory.

Amen.

Author “How to Humble Yourself Before God”

Arrica Hess writes at achildshallleadblog.com and prays she can help other Mommas find joy in their motherhood while serving their Savior. Follow Arrica on Facebook and Instagram.