Definition and Concept
Humbling, in the biblical context, refers to the act of lowering oneself in relation to God and others, recognizing one's own limitations, sinfulness, and dependence on God. It is a voluntary submission to God's will and an acknowledgment of His sovereignty and grace. Humbling is often associated with repentance, obedience, and a contrite heart.

Old Testament References
The concept of humbling oneself is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God promises healing and forgiveness to His people if they humble themselves: "and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land." This verse highlights the importance of humility in seeking God's favor and intervention.

In Deuteronomy 8:2-3, God reminds the Israelites of their time in the wilderness, a period meant to humble them and test their hearts: "Remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments." Here, humbling is seen as a divine process to cultivate faithfulness and reliance on God.

New Testament Teachings
The New Testament continues to emphasize the importance of humility. Jesus Christ, in His teachings and actions, exemplifies the ultimate model of humility. In Philippians 2:5-8, Paul describes Christ's humility: "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross."

James 4:10 encourages believers to humble themselves before the Lord: "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you." This verse underscores the promise that God honors those who lower themselves in submission to Him.

Humility in Practice
Humbling oneself is not merely an internal attitude but is expressed through actions. In Matthew 23:12, Jesus teaches, "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." This principle is a call to live a life of service, putting others before oneself, and seeking God's glory above personal ambition.

The Apostle Peter also instructs believers to practice humility in their relationships with one another: "Likewise, you younger ones, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble'" (1 Peter 5:5).

Spiritual Significance
Humbling oneself is a crucial aspect of spiritual growth and maturity. It aligns believers with God's will and opens the door to His grace and blessings. Proverbs 22:4 states, "The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life." This verse highlights the spiritual and material blessings that accompany a humble heart.

In summary, humbling is a foundational biblical principle that calls for a life of submission, repentance, and service. It is a recognition of God's authority and a pathway to experiencing His grace and favor.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Humble.5013. tapeinoo -- to make low, fig. to humble
... to humble NASB Word Usage brought low (1), get along (1), humble (2), humble means
(1), humbled (4), humbles (4), humbling (1), humiliate (1). to humble. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5013.htm - 7k6031a. anah -- to be bowed down or afflicted
... 16), afflict him at all (1), afflicted (22), affliction (1), disturbed (1), do violence
(1), force (1), humble (12), humbled (6), humbling (1), mistreat (1 ...
/hebrew/6031a.htm - 5k

Self-Humbling and Self-Searching
... Self-Humbling and Self-Searching. A Sermon (No.990). Delivered by. CH SPURGEON,.
At the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. "Look not ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/self-humbling and self-searching.htm

October the Second Humbling Our Pride
... OCTOBER The Second HUMBLING OUR PRIDE. JOB xxxviii.1-15. "I will demand
of thee, and answer thou Me." When our God begins to ask ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/october the second humbling our.htm

Are You Willing to be a Servant?
... When we understand the humbling and self-emptying that is involved in really being
a servant, it becomes evident that only those who are prepared to live quite ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter 8 are you willing.htm

2 Cor. xii. 16-18
... me?" And yet this is glorious rather, to accuse, to take vengeance, to call to account,
to be seated in the place of judge; howbeit he calls it a humbling. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxviii 2 cor xii.htm

Of this Weakness of His, He Saith in Another Place...
... "Have I committed a sin, "saith he, "in humbling myself that ye might be exalted,
because I have preached to you the Gospel of God freely? ...
/.../augustine/of the work of monks /section 13 of this weakness.htm

The Ten Lepers
... It is very humbling to think so: but the Bible is a humbling book: and, therefore,
a wholesome book, profitable for reproof, for correction, for instruction in ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxviii the ten lepers.htm

The Holy Spirit in the Mediator.
... The God-human Person of the Lord Jesus did not live a life, but rendered one mighty
act of obedience by humbling Himself unto death; and out of that humbling ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xx the holy spirit in.htm

Psalm CXXXVII.
... weep," either for those who are being carried away by them, or themselves whose
deserts have placed them in Babylon, but sitting, that is, humbling themselves. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxxvii.htm

Of True Humility, and How Abbot Serapion Exposed the Mock Humility ...
... of himself in the opening of his discourse?" [2085] Further, true humility of heart
must be preserved, which comes not from an affected humbling of body and in ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xi of true humility.htm

The Second Season
... 6. It would much support thy heart under adversity, to consider that God by such
humbling providences may be accomplishing that for which you have long prayed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/ii the second season.htm

Exalting (10 Occurrences)
... Exalting (10 Occurrences). Luke 14:11 because every one who is exalting himself
shall be humbled, and he who is humbling himself shall be exalted.' (YLT). ...
/e/exalting.htm - 9k

Humbling (8 Occurrences)
...Humbling (8 Occurrences). Luke 14:11 because every one who is exalting himself shall
be humbled, and he who is humbling himself shall be exalted.' (YLT). ...
/h/humbling.htm - 9k

Nostrils (22 Occurrences)
... having his nose pierced and a hook or ring inserted in it (Job 40:24; Job 41:2
(Hebrew 40:26)), so this expression is used to indicate the humbling and taming ...
/n/nostrils.htm - 17k

Nose (23 Occurrences)
... having his nose pierced and a hook or ring inserted in it (Job 40:24; Job 41:2
(Hebrew 40:26)), so this expression is used to indicate the humbling and taming ...
/n/nose.htm - 19k

Robbery (18 Occurrences)
... Hence, render "a thing to be grasped at"-did not seek equality with God by selfish
methods but by humbling himself." It is to be noticed, naturally, that Paul ...
/r/robbery.htm - 16k

Robber (14 Occurrences)
... Hence, render "a thing to be grasped at"-did not seek equality with God by selfish
methods but by humbling himself." It is to be noticed, naturally, that Paul ...
/r/robber.htm - 13k

Exalted (126 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 11:7 Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted,
because I preached to you God's Good News free of charge? ...
/e/exalted.htm - 34k

Elevate (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Corinthians 11:7 Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted,
because I preached to you God's Good News free of charge? (See NIV). ...
/e/elevate.htm - 7k

Delighting (9 Occurrences)
... Psalms 68:30 Rebuke a beast of the reeds, a company of bulls, With calves of the
peoples, Each humbling himself with pieces of silver, Scatter Thou peoples ...
/d/delighting.htm - 9k

Dejection (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The state of being melancholy, depressed, in
low spirits. 2. (n.) The act of humbling or abasing one's self. ...
/d/dejection.htm - 7k

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Humbling: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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