# What does the Bible say about humility? > What the Bible says about humility — walking humbly with God, Christ’s self-emptying, and grace for the humble, plus one small next step to take today. Source: https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/humility By Andrew Kittridge, Founder of Lumin · September 6, 2026 · Updated September 30, 2026 Verses are chosen for the question being asked. Scripture on this site is quoted from the Lumin Translation, the same text as the public reader and the iPhone Bible tab: Lumin’s own translation, drafted with AI from the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, checked verse by verse against them, and approved by Lumin. Glosses in answers are original summaries, not a second Bible. Open the named passage; AI is not the interpreter. [How we cite Scripture](https://www.lumin.faith/about#how-we-cite) In the Bible, humility is a posture toward God and other people: walking humbly with God, counting others more significant than yourself, and receiving grace instead of trying to earn it. God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble. The model is Jesus, who emptied himself and took the form of a servant. Humility is not a self-improvement project, and it is not contempt for the person God made. - [Read the chapter with Bible Coach](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-coach.md) - [Ask with Scripture you can open](https://www.lumin.faith/ask.md) - [Make room to pray](https://www.lumin.faith/pray.md) - [The Lumin Covenant](https://www.lumin.faith/trust.md) ## Bible verses about humility - **[Micah 6:8](https://www.lumin.faith/read/micah/6#8)** — He has shown you what is good: do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God. - **[Proverbs 11:2](https://www.lumin.faith/read/proverbs/11#2)** — When pride comes, then comes disgrace; with the humble is wisdom. - **[Isaiah 66:2](https://www.lumin.faith/read/isaiah/66#2)** — The Lord regards the humble and contrite in spirit who trembles at his word. - **[Matthew 23:12](https://www.lumin.faith/read/matthew/23#12)** — Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; whoever humbles himself will be exalted. - **[Luke 18:9-14](https://www.lumin.faith/read/luke/18#9)** — The tax collector who cried for mercy went home justified, not the one who trusted in himself. - **[Philippians 2:3-8](https://www.lumin.faith/read/philippians/2#3)** — Count others more significant; Christ’s self-emptying — taking the form of a servant — is the pattern. - **[James 4:6, 10](https://www.lumin.faith/read/james/4#6)** — God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble; humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. - **[1 Peter 5:5-6](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-peter/5#5)** — Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another; humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand. ## Highlighted verse > But he gives more grace. That is why it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” > > — James 4:6 (Lumin Translation) ## Reflection Jesus tells two stories that make the same point. A guest who grabs the best seat gets moved down; a tax collector who can only say “have mercy” goes home justified. Self-exaltation is a dead end, and asking for mercy is the open door. Paul roots humility in the incarnation itself: Christ did not cling to his rights but stepped down to serve. So humility grows from grace received, not from effort alone. It usually looks small and costs something: an apology with no excuse attached, a question asked instead of an opinion given, a task done without anyone noticing. And it is practiced among other people — in a family, a workplace, a church — where there is someone to defer to and someone to serve. ## One next step Pray James 4:6 over one place where you are protecting your image. Then take one lower place today without mentioning it — an apology, a question, or a task you usually leave for someone else. ## FAQ ### What is a key Bible verse about humility? James 4:6: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Micah 6:8 joins walking humbly with justice and kindness. Philippians 2:3-8 locates the posture in Christ’s self-emptying, not in mere niceness. ### How should Christians practice humility? Count others more significant, take the lower place without announcing it, apologize without excuses, and ask to be taught. Humility grows from grace received; it is not a self-improvement project. ### Is humility the same as hating yourself? No. Scripture opposes pride, not the person God made. The tax collector did not list his flaws; he asked for mercy and went home justified. Humility receives grace rather than punishing the self. ## Related questions - [What does the Bible say about pride?](https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/pride.md) - [What does the Bible say about identity?](https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/identity.md) - [What does the Bible say about purpose?](https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/purpose.md) ## Related guides - [Read the chapter with Bible Coach](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-coach.md) - [Ask with Scripture you can open](https://www.lumin.faith/ask.md) - [Make room to pray](https://www.lumin.faith/pray.md) - [The Lumin Covenant](https://www.lumin.faith/trust.md) --- Ask, Bible Coach, Pray, and Sermon Week are the four jobs in Lumin. The app is for iPhone and iPad. App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lumin-bible-ai-companion/id6754889412 Ask on the web: https://www.lumin.faith/app Browse answers: https://www.lumin.faith/answers.md