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Home›Topics›Humility›Historical Examples

Historical Examples — Humility

125 illustrations

All (1,136)⛪ LensLines™ (648)🏛️ Historical Examples (125)📖 Stories & Illustrations (121)⛪ Tradition Perspectives (68)🎯 Application Points (54)🙏 Devotionals (50)💭 Theological Reflections (25)🌍 Contemporary (18)🔍 Biblical Insights (17)🎬 Movie Analogies (4)🕊️ Prayers (3)🧘 spiritual discipline (3)

Historical

The Self-Deceived Mind Closes Against All Reformation

There is more hope of a fool than of him." The Scriptures overflow with denunciations against human self-sufficiency, and Solomon's writings particularly stigmatize the absurdity and guilt of a self-willed, self-sufficient spirit.

Proverbs 26:12Universal

spiritual stagnation through pride

the danger of self-deception

Joseph S. Exell

222 words

Historical

The Lord of Hosts Stains the Pride of All Glory

The Lord of hosts has purposed to stain the pride of all glory—exposing the fundamental corruption underlying human honor derived solely from men's approval.

Isaiah 20:9Universaldivine judgmenthuman ambition

Joseph S. Exell

200 words

Historical

The Rich Poor and the Poor Rich: True Wealth in Christ

Solomon observes from wide experience that extremes in appearance and reality create spiritual peril—we must strive to *be* what we *seem*.

Proverbs 13:7Universalspiritual poverty leads to true richesdependence upon God

Joseph S. Exell

231 words

Historical

Man Made Lower Than Angels, Yet Destined for Glory

Paul applies this text to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, revealing depths beyond the original words about humanity.

Psalms 8:5Universalhuman dignity and restorationChrist's incarnation and exaltation

Joseph S. Exell

217 words

Historical

God's Gentleness Makes Us Great

But the God of revelation contrives to be gentle, hiding His omnipotence to instill confidence in His children.

Psalms 18:35UniversalGod's tender merciesdivine condescension elevates humanity

Joseph S. Exell

229 words

Historical

The Peril of Listening to Every Word Spoken

The Preacher warns against an obsession with others' opinions that fragments the soul.

Ecclesiastes 1:21Universaldiscernment in listeningGod's approval versus worldly opinion

Joseph S. Exell

215 words

Historical

The Hollow Reward of Ostentatious Piety

This is not blessing but irony—a sentence that cuts to the heart of human motivation.

Matthew 6:2Universalauthentic devotion versus hypocrisytemporal versus eternal reward

Joseph S. Exell

192 words

Historical

Man Humbled and Christ Exalted in the Gospel

the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day." The Lord abases human pride whenever He makes His presence felt by the power of His Spirit upon the heart.

Isaiah 1:11UniversalGod's transcendence versus human presumptiontransformation through the Gospel

Joseph S. Exell

230 words

Historical

God's 'I Am' Versus Human Pride and Pretense

The Lord God sends forth His Spirit not as a subordinate, but as His own extension of power—note how Professors Davidson and Driver observed in Isaiah 40-46 that the Divine Spirit appears as a separate personality, yet remains inseparable from...

Isaiah 46:16UniversalDivine nature and self-revelationHuman pride contrasted with God's power

Joseph S. Exell

219 words

Historical

The Fowler of Retribution: God's Net Upon the Proud

The work of retribution operates as a fowler's craft—precisely, inexorably.

Ezekiel 6:12Universaldivine judgmentconsequences of pride

Joseph S. Exell

206 words

Historical

Daily Bread: Dependence, Provision, and Contentment

First, even bodily wants must be subordinated to religious purposes—we do not live by bread alone, but by every word proceeding from Adonai.

Matthew 6:11Universaldependence on Godcontentment

Joseph S. Exell

208 words

Historical

The Shame of Unreasonable Expectations Before God

Morris identified a universal human ailment—unreasonable expectations that breed disappointment across every station of life.

Isaiah 20:5Universalmisplaced trustdivine providence

Joseph S. Exell

219 words

Historical

Labourers Together with God: Unity in Divine Purpose

Though believers, Paul could not address them as spiritual persons, for they moved in the lower, earthly region of human nature, where strife and division held sway.

1 Corinthians 3:9Universalunity in Christdivine partnership

Joseph S. Exell

225 words

Historical

Christian Fortitude in Business Failure and Adversity

— Christianity does not shield disciples from misfortune and calamity; rather, it requires trouble for spiritual maturation.

Proverbs 20:10Universaladversity and spiritual growthChristian character under trial

Joseph S. Exell

206 words

Historical

By the Grace of God I Am What I Am

First, some regard themselves as mere products of natural causes—biology determining destiny.

1 Corinthians 15:10Universaldivine providencepersonal transformation

Joseph S. Exell

218 words

Historical

The Unrecorded Apostles: Hidden Workers in Christ's Kingdom

First, it suggests the true measure of workers in the Church's progress.

Matthew 10:6Universalfaithful service beyond recognitionGod's eternal record versus human memory

Joseph S. Exell

207 words

Historical

Poverty of Spirit: The Foundation of Kingdom Blessing

Luke's direct address 'Ye poor' is decisive: our Lord does not flatter the poor as such, nor suppose that circumstances possess such power for good that virtue becomes their prerogative.

Luke 6:20-31Universalspiritual foundation of blessingChrist's selective address to disciples

Alexander Maclaren

233 words

Historical

Boasting in the Lord with Genuine Humility

The psalmist's boasting is altogether different in character.

Psalms 34:2Universalauthentic praise versus false prideascribing glory to God

Charles H. Spurgeon

202 words

Historical

Poverty of Spirit: The Gateway to Kingdom Blessing

When Christ pronounces blessing upon the poor, He does not flatter the poor *as such*, nor does He suggest that mere material destitution produces virtue.

Luke 6:20-31Universalspiritual receptivitytrue blessedness

Alexander Maclaren

222 words

Historical

Divine Justice Recognizes Wrong Done to All Persons

Punishment Threatened To masters who wrong their servants: (1) By defrauding them of clothing, food, or wages; (2) By imposing labours beyond their strength; (3) By afflicting them with reproaches and unjust stripes.

Colossians 4:25Universaldivine accountabilityimpartial judgment

Joseph S. Exell

230 words

Historical

The Land's Rest: Spiritual Training Through Prolonged Conflict

Exell observes that God deliberately extended this campaign for Israel's spiritual formation.

Ruth 4:23Universalspiritual training through adversityGod's sovereignty in delaying victory

Joseph S. Exell

191 words

Historical

The Penitent's Love Against Pharisaic Righteousness

The Pharisee observes her tears, her hair loosening, her lips touching Christ's feet—and concludes that Jesus cannot be a prophet, for He would have "known" her sinful nature and thrust her back.

Luke 7:41-43Universaltransformation through gracecontrasting righteousness

Alexander Maclaren

249 words

Historical

God's Prolonged Warfare: Training Through Sustained Conflict

Jehovah could have crushed all Canaanites in one decisive blow, yet He withheld this miracle for spiritual pedagogy.

Judges 10:23Universalspiritual training through struggleGod's purposeful delays

Joseph S. Exell

195 words

Historical

The Unhewn Stone Altar: Simplicity and Christ's Sufficiency

This prohibition teaches three vital truths about worship.

Exodus 20:25Universalsimplicity in faithChrist as mediator

Joseph S. Exell

235 words

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