Characteristics of Humility
A person who possesses humility does not become proud, does not grow angry, and does not judge or accuse those around them. They focus on themselves and acknowledge their own weaknesses. They seek inner peace, remain indifferent to the noise of everyday life, and avoid unnecessary conversations, recognizing that they are trivial and harmful to their soul.
Of course, no one can be completely free from sin. Living in the world, every Christian is confronted daily with things they would rather avoid. Afterwards, they are left alone with themselves, experiencing the assault of passions, judgment, anger, and the fatigue of everyday life. Thus, anxiety, guilt, and sorrow begin to grow within them.
How often do we feel unable to focus on prayer? Burdened and filled with worries, we surrender to ignorance and delusion. Our soul, like a precious vessel, becomes filled with meaningless things, and is therefore no longer able to welcome Christ.
As He Himself advised us:
“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:31-33)
Benefits of Humility in the Bible
According to tradition, a believer once asked a saint, “How can I love God?” and he replied, “With humility.”
Pride prevents a person from progressing spiritually, from becoming virtuous, and from resembling the saints, as it forms the foundation upon which the passions grow. On the contrary, humility is the core from which all virtues are born:
“And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” (Luke 16:15)
Humility has always been the most essential characteristic of the saints, the guardian of love and kindness.
Through it, we receive the Divine Grace and the blessing of the Lord. When it is absent, justice, sincere offering, and patience disappear along with it. A person’s prayer weakens and their spiritual effort loses its strength.
As it is also mentioned in the Epistle to the Corinthians, it is important for a person to remember that they cannot struggle on their own, exhausting themselves and forcing their mortal nature. In contrast, by abandoning pride, they can surrender to the will and love of God, who will take care of them:
“But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead.”
(2 Corinthians 1:9)
Humility may thus be likened to a scale: the lower one side descends, the higher the other rises.
Saint Cyprian said, “Humility is the foundation of holiness.”
Faith requires patience, while pride is the beginning of all passions. Hope is grounded in humility, for the person who submits to the will of the Lord becomes aware of their weakness and turns to God, from whom they draw warmth and care.
In this way, love and faith in Him are strengthened. The humble spirit recognizes all that is pleasing to God and perceives both His grace and the Divine Providence.
Humility and Gratitude
Gratitude springs from humility. A humble person recognizes their mistakes. They also forgive themselves and those around them, finding calmness and attaining inner peace.
As the Lord advises us, we can always place our burdens in His hands, be set free, and find rest in His care:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30)
How to Practice Humility?
Humility means recognizing our own insignificance. Our faith is nourished by our thoughts, expressed through our words, and manifested in our actions.
Once it becomes an inner habit, cultivated through patience and purity of thought, it begins to reveal itself in various ways. As the mind grows calm, the turmoil of everyday life gradually subsides.
We surrender to silence. We begin to express ourselves with sincerity and simplicity. We reject unnecessary conversations, self-praise and the judgment of others.
4 Ways to Be Humble
- Do not judge others;
- Do not interrupt them when they speak or express their thoughts and opinions;
- Do not become angry or argue with those who hold different views;
- Do not live in constant anxiety, overanalyzing problems and worrying about the future.
“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” (Romans 12:14–15)
In this way, we become kind and gentle. We are not shaken by the passions of the world but maintain a clear vision and a sincere love for those around us.
Importance of Humility
Humility is the path to our salvation and can be expressed in many ways. A humble person, no matter how sinful, can be saved, since they are aware of their weaknesses. By contrast, the self-centered person, no matter how much they strive to do what is right, ultimately becomes lost in self-love, as they are unable to truly care for the world around them.
The Lord Himself calls us to imitate not only His gentleness but also His humility, saying: “Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.”
Humility is the fruit of love. Whoever loves endures without complaint and rises above injustice. They do not grumble or struggle to defend themselves but instead surrender to the Divine will.
Every person has two choices. The first is love, the source of all virtues. The second is egoism. Each of us chooses either to unite with the Lord and save their soul from corruption, or to cling to the self and be lost.
Prayer for Humility – Saint Silouan the Athonite
Oh compassionate Lord, how is it that You did not forget Your sinful servant, but, full of mercy, beheld me from Your glory and revealed Yourself to me in an incomprehensible way? I have always offended You and caused You sorrow.
Yet You, Oh Lord, for my small repentance, granted me to know Your great love and Your immeasurable goodness. Your gentle and serene gaze has captivated my soul.
What can I offer You in return, Oh Lord, or what praise can I bring to You? You grant Your grace, so that my heart may burn unceasingly with love, finding no rest, neither night nor day, from the divine love.
The remembrance of You warms my soul, which finds no rest in anything on earth except in You. Therefore, with tears I seek You and again my mind longs for Your sweetness… Lord, grant that I may love only You.
You created me; You enlightened me through the Holy Baptism; You forgive my sins and grant me the grace to partake of Your precious Body and Blood. Give me the strength to remain always close to You. Lord, grant me the repentance of Adam and Your holy humility.
Amen.
