Humility might be the most misunderstood virtue in Christianity. Our culture tells us to promote ourselves, build our personal brand, and never appear weak. We’re encouraged to project confidence, claim our worth, and make sure everyone knows our accomplishments. In this environment, humility can look like weakness, self-deprecation, or refusing to acknowledge your gifts and abilities.
But biblical humility isn’t about thinking less of yourself or pretending you don’t have talents. It’s about having an accurate view of yourself in light of who God is, recognizing that everything you have comes from Him, and choosing to put others before yourself. True humility doesn’t deny your strengths; it acknowledges their source and uses them to serve rather than to elevate yourself.
These verses reveal why God values humility so highly, what it actually looks like in practice, and the blessings that come to the humble. Scripture consistently teaches that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, that those who humble themselves will be exalted, and that the path to true greatness runs through the valley of humility. In a world obsessed with self-promotion, biblical humility is radically countercultural.
Bible Verses About Humility
1. James 4:10 – Humble Yourselves Before the Lord
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
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2. Proverbs 11:2 – With Humility Comes Wisdom
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
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3. Philippians 2:3-4 – In Humility Value Others Above Yourselves
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
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4. Micah 6:8 – Walk Humbly With Your God
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
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5. 1 Peter 5:5-6 – God Opposes the Proud but Shows Favor to the Humble
In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
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6. Proverbs 22:4 – Humility Is the Fear of the Lord
Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.
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7. Matthew 23:12 – Whoever Exalts Himself Will Be Humbled
For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
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8. Colossians 3:12 – Clothe Yourselves With Humility
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
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9. Proverbs 16:18-19 – Pride Goes Before Destruction
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.
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10. Ephesians 4:2 – Be Completely Humble and Gentle
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
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11. Proverbs 15:33 – Humility Comes Before Honor
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor.
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12. Matthew 11:29 – I Am Gentle and Humble in Heart
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
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13. Proverbs 18:12 – Before a Downfall the Heart Is Haughty
Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
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14. Luke 14:11 – Whoever Humbles Himself Will Be Exalted
For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
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15. Romans 12:3 – Do Not Think of Yourself More Highly Than You Ought
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
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16. James 4:6 – God Opposes the Proud
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
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17. Proverbs 29:23 – Pride Brings a Person Low
Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.
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18. Philippians 2:5-8 – Have the Same Mindset as Christ Jesus
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
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19. Proverbs 3:34 – He Mocks Proud Mockers
He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
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20. 2 Chronicles 7:14 – If My People Will Humble Themselves
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
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21. Zephaniah 2:3 – Seek Humility
Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger.
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22. 1 Peter 3:8 – Be Sympathetic, Love One Another, Be Compassionate and Humble
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
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23. Proverbs 27:2 – Let Someone Else Praise You
Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.
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24. Romans 12:16 – Do Not Be Proud, but Be Willing to Associate
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
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25. Daniel 4:37 – Those Who Walk in Pride He Is Able to Humble
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
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26. Psalm 25:9 – He Guides the Humble in What Is Right
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
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27. Isaiah 57:15 – I Live in a High and Holy Place
For this is what the high and exalted One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.”
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28. Luke 18:14 – Everyone Who Exalts Himself Will Be Humbled
I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
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29. Proverbs 16:5 – The Lord Detests All the Proud of Heart
The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
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30. 1 Corinthians 13:4 – Love Does Not Boast, It Is Not Proud
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
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31. Galatians 6:3 – If Anyone Thinks They Are Something
If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.
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32. Titus 3:2 – Show True Humility Toward All
To slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
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33. Psalm 147:6 – The Lord Sustains the Humble
The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.
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34. 2 Corinthians 12:9 – I Will Boast All the More Gladly About My Weaknesses
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
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35. Numbers 12:3 – Moses Was Very Humble
Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.
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Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Humility
The consistent message throughout Scripture is unmistakable: God treasures humility and opposes pride. This isn’t an arbitrary preference but reflects a spiritual reality. Pride positions us as the center of our own universe, claiming credit for gifts we didn’t create and abilities we didn’t generate. Humility recognizes the truth: we are creatures dependent on our Creator, recipients of grace we didn’t earn, and stewards of gifts entrusted to us.
What’s remarkable is how Jesus embodied perfect humility. Though He was God, He didn’t grasp at His divine privileges but made Himself nothing, taking on the nature of a servant and becoming obedient to death on a cross. This is our model for humility, not self-loathing or false modesty, but a willingness to serve others and submit to God’s purposes regardless of the personal cost.
The Bible also reveals that humility opens the door to God’s blessings. He gives grace to the humble, lifts them up, guides them in what is right, and sustains them. Conversely, pride leads to destruction, dishonor, and separation from God. The path upward in God’s kingdom runs through the valley of humility, and those who refuse to humble themselves will eventually be brought low.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess that pride comes naturally to me while humility requires constant dependence on You. Forgive me for the times I’ve taken credit for what You’ve accomplished, when I’ve elevated myself above others, and when I’ve refused to acknowledge my need for You.
Help me to see myself accurately, not thinking more highly of myself than I ought, but recognizing that every good gift comes from You. Teach me the humility of Christ, who, though He was God, made Himself nothing and became a servant. Let that same mindset be in me.
Give me a humble heart that values others above myself, that seeks to serve rather than to be served, and that gladly acknowledges my weaknesses so Your power can rest on me. When I’m tempted toward pride, remind me that You oppose the proud but give grace to the humble.
Help me to walk humbly with You, to submit to Your will even when it costs me something, and to find my security in Your love rather than in others’ approval or my own accomplishments.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Evang. Anabelle Thompson is the founder of Believers Refuge, a Scripture-based resource that helps Christians to find biblical guidance for life’s challenges.
With over 15 years of ministry experience and a decade of dedicated Bible study, she creates content that connects believers with relevant Scripture for their daily struggles.
Her work has reached over 76,000 monthly readers (which is projected to reach 100,000 readers by the end of 2025) seeking practical faith applications, biblical encouragement, and spiritual guidance rooted in God’s Word.
She writes from personal experience, having walked through seasons of waiting, breakthrough, and spiritual growth that inform her teaching.
Evang. Thompson brings 12 years of active ministry and evangelism experience, along with over 10 years of systematic Bible study and theological research.
As a former small group leader and Sunday school teacher, she has published over 200 biblical resources and devotional studies.
She specializes in applying Scripture to everyday life challenges and regularly studies the original Hebrew and Greek texts for a deeper biblical understanding.