⏱️ Estimated Reading Time: 3 min read
November Series: Gratitude and Christian Character
Biblical Humility: Seeing God Rightly and Serving Others
By Dave Jenkins
Scripture: Philippians 2:3–8; 1 Peter 5:5
Biblical humility begins with seeing God rightly. When we recognize His holiness, sovereign rule, and grace, we learn to see ourselves as dependent recipients of His mercy and to serve others with love.
In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins examines Philippians 2:3–8 and 1 Peter 5:5 to explain how the gospel forms humble Christian character. Looking to Jesus Christ, we consider what humility means for receiving correction, using our gifts, confessing sin, and forgiving others.
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In This Episode
- Why biblical humility begins with a right view of God.
- How salvation by grace leaves no room for boasting.
- What Christ’s willing service and obedience teach us about humility.
- Why humility involves teachability and receiving biblical correction.
- How to acknowledge and use God-given gifts without pride.
- How humility shapes repentance, forgiveness, and everyday relationships.
Humility Begins with God and His Grace
God is our Creator, and we depend on Him for every breath. Our abilities, opportunities, relationships, and salvation are gifts of His grace. Remembering this frees us from the need to prove our importance and teaches us to give Him the glory.
The gospel leaves no room for boasting before God. Jesus Christ lived in perfect obedience, bore the judgment our sins deserve, died in our place, and rose from the grave. We receive salvation through faith in Him. As we grow in our understanding of His mercy, we learn to extend grace to others.
Following the Humility of Christ
In Philippians 2, Paul addresses selfish ambition and conceit by directing believers to Jesus Christ. The eternal Son of God willingly took the form of a servant and humbled Himself in obedience to the Father, even to death on a cross. His saving work is the foundation of our hope, and His humble service is the pattern for our relationships.
Christian humility expresses itself in self-giving love. We consider the interests of others, listen carefully, and use what God has given us to serve. This does not require denying our abilities, neglecting legitimate needs, or accepting manipulation and abuse. Humility recognizes our gifts as God’s provision and seeks to use them faithfully.
Practicing Biblical Humility
- See God rightly. Remember that He is your Creator, Lord, and King, and that you depend on Him.
- Remember His grace. Recognize that your salvation and everything entrusted to you come from the Lord.
- Look to Jesus Christ. Consider the Savior who humbled Himself for sinners and follow His example of service.
- Become teachable. Listen to correction, test it by Scripture, and repent when you are wrong.
- Use your gifts without boasting. Acknowledge the abilities God has given you and use them for His glory and the good of others.
- Practice repentance, forgiveness, and love. Confess your sins, seek forgiveness, and serve the people God has placed in your life.
Keep Looking to Christ
A humble Christian still needs correction and forgiveness. Growth in humility includes an increasing willingness to listen, confess sin, and repent. As we remember the grace we have received in Christ, we learn to forgive and serve others.
Look to the Savior who humbled Himself for you, and ask the Lord to form that same humble character in your life.
For more from Contending for the Word Q&A please visit here or at our YouTube.
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah, and lives in beautiful Southern Oregon. He is a writer, editor, and speaker who loves Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology.
Dave serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries and the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine. He is the Host and Producer of the Equipping You in Grace Podcast and a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word.
He is the author of The War of Worldviews: Truth, Lies, and the Battle for the Christian Mind (Theology for Life, 2026), Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age and The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021).
You can connect with Dave on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, or subscribe to his newsletter.
When he is not engaged in ministry work, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife, going to movies, sharing a meal at a favorite restaurant, or playing a round of golf with friends. He is also a voracious reader, particularly of Reformed theology and the Puritans, and is often found working through a stack of new books from a wide range of Christian publishers.
Dave earned his M.A.R. and M.Div. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
