Wisdom Wednesday: Wisdom and Humility
Submitted by Debbie’s Dad
The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility. (Proverbs 15:33 NASB 95)
When pride comes, then comes dishonor, But with the humble is wisdom.
(Proverbs 11:2 NASB 95).
In both of the proverbs above, humility is associated with wisdom. Taken together, the instruction from Solomon simply states:
- The fear of the Lord, or humble acknowledgement of Who He is …
- Is the first step of instruction to wisdom,
- And this humility must precede honor,
- BUT the lack of humility in pride brings dishonor.
The Proverbs were written to instruct the young person in the way of gaining wisdom and refers to wisdom as a person calling out to invite young people to provide wise instruction and the blessings of a wise way of life (Prov. 8). Extolling the virtues of wisdom, Solomon said, “How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.” (Prov. 16:16).
But the Proverbs warn against the danger of pride, “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly Than to divide the spoil with the proud.” (Prov.16:18–19).
Humility precedes wisdom; pride precedes foolishness, stumbling and destruction.
Scripture emphasizes this contrast between humility and pride through examples of individuals and in Jesus’ teaching. Let’s consider a few examples.
The Proud King that was Humbled
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon was lifted in pride when he surveyed his empire. “The king reflected and said, ‘Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?’” (Dan 4:30) But this pride preceded his downfall from the throne to madness, until he repented (4:34-37) and became humble, exclaiming, “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.” (Dan 4:37).
The Proud and Humble Contrasted
Jesus explicitly illustrated the contrast in the wise and foolish in a simple, self-explanatory parable (Luke 18: 9-14):
And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt:
“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’
I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
On another occasion later in His ministry while speaking to the crowds, Jesus reiterated this principle and highlighted the contrast in outcomes for the humble and the proud.
Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. Mt 23:12.
Let us ask the Lord to search our hearts and reveal any pride that prevents us from glorifying Him. Let us seek humility in the fear of the Lord and grow in God’s wisdom.
