The Key

Pop Quiz: Who is the person no one wants to be around? A proud know-it-all.

And who is the person everyone enjoys being around? A humble and kind one.

If you want to build strong, lasting relationships in life, humility is essential. Why? Because it’s God’s way.

The Bible says, “These are the ways of the world: wanting to please our sinful selves, wanting the sinful things we see, and being too proud of what we have. None of these come from the Father, but all of them come from the world.” (1 John 2:16)

Want a quick way to damage your relationships? Start thinking only about yourself. But if you’re serious about building deep, meaningful connections, shift your focus to others.

Philippians 2:3 says, “When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves.”

Here’s the irony: those who think they’re humble often aren’t. Why? Because genuine humility doesn’t focus on itself. A truly humble person isn’t even concerned with whether or not they’re being humble—they’re simply focused on others.

So how do you grow in humility? Start by spending time with people who embody it. There’s a simple rule in life: you become like the people you hang out with. Surround yourself with negative, self-centered people, and it will rub off. But surround yourself with kind and humble people, and you’ll start to reflect that same spirit.

Romans 12:16 says, “Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be arrogant, but be friendly to humble people. Don’t think that you are smarter than you really are.”

If you’re looking for humble people to learn from, look for those who are growing closer to Jesus—He is the greatest teacher of humility.

Philippians 2:5-8 powerfully states, “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”

Want to bring more humility into your relationships? Follow Jesus. The closer you walk with Him, the more you’ll learn how to live humbly—because He lived it perfectly.

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)

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