Humility, unlike pride, does not come naturally to us; it must be deliberately put on and added to our character through God's Spirit and our conscious decisions to submit to Him out of love, a desire to be like Him, and a longing to glorify Him. By His power and our cooperation, humility is created within us, enabling us to grow stronger in overcoming pride and its destructive influences on relationships. Humility is a developed characteristic, formed through contact with the Father in heaven and our willing submission, and it stands as a command we must choose to obey, just as we are commanded to resist the devil, cleanse our hands, and purify our hearts. In the Old Testament, humility is often portrayed as a condition of being brought low through poverty, affliction, or persecution, illustrating a social sense of being humbled that reflects a deeper spiritual attitude. In contrast, the New Testament presents humility as a virtuous quality, exemplified by God Himself, who, despite His supreme glory, stoops to lift up those far beneath Him, holding His awesome power in check to achieve a greater good. Jesus Christ, as the ultimate example, embodies humility not as weakness but as a deliberate control of power for the sake of others, taking on a servant's approach rather than a ruler's, which promotes good relationships by neutralizing pride. Humility stems from a genuine self-evaluation, where one deems himself worthless not out of self-loathing but out of recognition of complete dependence on God for every breath and spiritual need. It is the fruit of realizing one's spiritual poverty compared to God's perfection, an honest assessment that reveals our utter destitution of virtues valuable for eternal life and our inability to become like Him without His help. This poverty of spirit, central to a relationship with God, drives us to bow before Him, acknowledging our need and submitting to His will. Affliction and impending doom often promote humility, pushing us to cry out to God for intervention, and He responds by lifting us up, though sometimes leaving us marked by the experience to ensure we learn to submit continually. Humility, when put to work, yields positive effects, as seen in Solomon's recognition of his limitations, leading to honor and blessings from God. If we humble ourselves through brutally honest comparisons with His character, holiness, and righteousness, seeing how far beneath Him we are, He hears us, promises to bless us, and lifts us up, granting spiritual wealth as we submit to Him.

Humility is a vital element in living by faith, working over time to neutralize the evil pride lurking within our hearts. Being humble is a clear choice, rooted in poverty of spirit, which implies a dependence upon God to supply spiritual needs that we do not naturally possess or have not developed. Only those called by God can truly be poor in spirit, as it is through His Spirit that we gain a right evaluation of ourselves and receive the spiritual riches we desperately need. God's calling enables us to perceive our relation to Him and His awesome purpose for us, which is essential for making right choices. God is impressed by humility expressed in His children toward Him, His ways, and His law. Humility is shown through actions such as doing justly by treating all fairly, showing kindness freely to others, and living in conscious dependence on God's greatness and sovereignty. A humble person will not walk with God in pride, providing clear evidence of growth toward character that glorifies Him. If we are proud, we fail to treat people kindly or deal justly, often tilting things in our own favor. Jesus Christ, the greatest to walk this earth, exemplified humility by showing complete dependence on the Father. Despite His greatness, He did not act on His own but maintained perfect communication with the Father, deferring to His lead. Jesus humbly claimed no equality in authority with the Father, instead emphasizing His reliance on Him, even while performing extraordinary acts. We are to imitate this dependence, seeking the Father and the Son for gifts to replicate Their character. Humility, like the fear of God, is a learned quality requiring a conscious decision to humble oneself before God and brethren, becoming a true servant giving love rather than yielding to pride. It is based on how well one sees and accepts God's supremacy over every aspect of His creation, especially oneself and fellow church members. This understanding allows for a proper self-evaluation between God's supreme spiritual richness and our spiritual poverty, paving the way to choose humility and obediently submit to His instruction. Only then can a person truly live by faith, seeing both God and oneself in a truer perspective. God responds to humility with honor, forgiveness, and answered prayers, ensuring His blessing. Without humility, there is no family relationship with Him, nor access to the Kingdom of God. It is an absolute necessity, as He clearly values and reacts to those who are humble.