The Power of Christian Humility in Spiritual Growth
Title: The Power of Christian Humility in Spiritual Growth
Speaker: Ptr. Jeho Sariego
Scripture Focus: Joshua 7
The journey of faith requires many virtues, but the greatest foundation for spiritual growth is Christian humility. Before we begin, let us open in prayer. We praise God for His grace and for the privilege to hear His Word. As we study today, may the Lord prepare our hearts to receive His truth, granting us understanding in these crucial times. May the lessons we learn today bear fruit in our lives, bringing glory to His name.
Today, we continue our series on the church with a focus on how to walk in humility. Over the past few weeks, we have been studying the importance of a humble walk, which is incredibly vital to our Christian life. We have learned that Christian humility is the foundation of spiritual growth. But what does it mean to grow spiritually? Spiritual growth means an ever-deepening relationship with the Lord, a growing love for Him, a passion for His Word, and a life of obedience. It involves loving our neighbors and walking in His ways. Over the course of this study, we are exploring the life of Joshua. While we are ultimately saved by the grace of Jesus Christ, we can learn a tremendous amount from the historical account of the nation of Israel and their leader.
The Background of Joshua’s Leadership
If we look closely at the Book of Joshua, we see the unfolding of God’s redemptive history for the Israelites. Who was Joshua? He was not just a friend or an acquaintance; he was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to scout the Promised Land. Moses had led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. God had delivered them powerfully, parted the Red Sea, and promised them a land flowing with milk and honey. Yet, when Moses sent the twelve spies into the land of Canaan, ten of them came back with a fearful report.
They saw the giants and the fortified cities, and their hearts melted with fear. They believed they could not overcome the inhabitants of the land. However, Joshua and Caleb stood firm. They brought back a good report, trusting completely in the promise of God. Because the rest of the Israelites chose to rebel and listen to the ten fearful spies, God declared that that entire generation would not enter the Promised Land. They wandered in the wilderness for forty years until every rebellious adult had passed away. Only Joshua, Caleb, and the new generation of Israelites were permitted to cross over.
Depending on God’s Promises
After Moses passed away, God chose Joshua as the new leader of Israel. God encouraged him with a powerful promise, assuring him of His constant presence. In the very first chapter, God commanded Joshua:
“Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1:7)
Joshua needed this strict encouragement because the journey ahead was fraught with battles. They were about to conquer the Promised Land, facing mighty cities and formidable enemies. It was not going to be an easy path. Before attacking Jericho, Joshua sent two spies who met Rahab, a harlot who acted in faith by hiding them. By God’s grace, Rahab and her family were saved from the destruction of the city. Following this, God led the Israelites to cross the flooded Jordan River. Just as He did with the Red Sea, God parted the waters the moment the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stepped into the river.
It was a miraculous crossing. After they crossed, God commanded that all the males of this new generation be circumcised as a sign of His covenant. They observed the Passover, remembering how the angel of the Lord spared their firstborns in Egypt when the blood of the lamb was applied to their doorposts. Shortly after, Joshua encountered the Captain of the Lord’s host, a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ.
The Defeat at Ai and the Need for Christian Humility
When the Israelites faced the impenetrable walls of Jericho, God gave them a highly unusual command. They were to march around the city for six days, and on the seventh day, march seven times and shout. They obeyed, and the walls came tumbling down! They gained an incredible victory, not by military strategy, but by complete reliance on God’s wisdom. This is the essence of Christian humility; it is trading our own understanding for the infinite wisdom of our Lord.
However, Chapter 7 records their very first devastating defeat. Why did they lose? A man named Achan committed a trespass by taking the accursed things from Jericho, items that were strictly devoted to the Lord’s treasury. Because of this secret sin, the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.
When Joshua sent spies to the next city, Ai, the spies confidently reported that Ai was small and only required two or three thousand men to conquer. Joshua listened to their advice and sent a small army without consulting God. This was a critical mistake. The men of Ai struck them down, and the hearts of the Israelites melted like water. They fled in terror.
The Proper Attitude Before God
How did Joshua respond to this tragic failure? The Bible tells us that he tore his clothes and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the Lord until eventide. He and the elders of Israel put dust upon their heads in deep mourning. Joshua did not try to justify the failure. He immediately went to God in utter brokenness.
This reveals the most vital lesson for every believer. The proper attitude we must maintain before God is one of absolute humility. Without Christian humility, there will be no genuine repentance. A proud person cannot see their own faults or their own sins. Pride blinds us, making us think we are righteous on our own. But the Bible clearly teaches that we must humble ourselves and acknowledge our absolute need for the Savior.
Our salvation is heavily dependent on recognizing our spiritual poverty. We were lost in sin, enemies of God, and bound for destruction. Only through the blood of Jesus Christ are we redeemed. We must constantly remind ourselves that we are not saved because we are better than anyone else, but entirely because of God’s matchless grace. Even after salvation, we still struggle with sin. That is why the Apostle John wrote:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
If we hide our sin or harbor pride in our hearts, our fellowship with the Lord is broken. We lose the joy of our salvation. But continuous, heartfelt confession restores our intimacy with God. Christian humility keeps our hearts soft and sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Childlike Faith and Honest Prayer
True humility means adopting the posture of a little child. Jesus Himself declared:
“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)
Why a child? A child is entirely dependent on their parents for everything. They trust, they rely, and they know they cannot survive on their own. As adults, we often think we are self-sufficient. We rely on our education, our experiences, and our bank accounts. But spiritual growth requires us to cast aside self-reliance and wholly depend on the Lord’s strength. As Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us:
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
When Joshua cried out to God, his prayer was brutally honest. In Joshua 7:7, he poured out his confusion, asking why God had brought them over the Jordan only to be destroyed. While his perspective was clouded by grief, God did not rebuke Joshua for his honesty. In fact, God answered him clearly, revealing the sin of Achan and instructing him on how to secure the victory. God invites us to be honest in our prayers. We see this ultimate example in Jesus Christ at the Garden of Gethsemane:
“And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:39)
Jesus expressed His deep agony yet completely submitted to the Father’s will. When we practice Christian humility, we can approach the throne of grace with honesty, knowing that God hears us. As Jeremiah 33:3 promises, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”
Let us make a daily decision to walk in humility. It is the only way to genuinely grow in our relationship with God and to reflect His love to the world. Remember, a seed must be buried deep in the dark soil before it can grow upward and bear fruit. For more messages that will encourage your walk with the Lord, visit our Sermon Page and follow our Facebook Page. We invite you to join us this Sunday as we continue to study God’s Word together. Plan your visit to Antioch Baptist Church today.