by Mike Bennett
Proverbs 18:12
Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before honor is humility.
The Proverbs are full of practical wisdom showing cause-and-effect relationships. Haughtiness—pride—may be a common mind-set of those who take charge and seem successful for a time; but in the end, haughtiness leads to destruction. However, humility—recognizing our own weaknesses and the greatness of God—will eventually lead to honor.
As the apostle Peter wrote, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).
For more about pride and humility, see “The Pharisee and the Tax Collector.”
FAQs
Proverbs 18:12 New King James Version (NKJV)
What does humility before honor mean? ›
Proverbs 18:12
Haughtiness—pride—may be a common mind-set of those who take charge and seem successful for a time; but in the end, haughtiness leads to destruction. However, humility—recognizing our own weaknesses and the greatness of God—will eventually lead to honor.
Is humility a form of honor? ›
Honor means to treat with great consideration, to respect greatly, to esteem highly, and to treat with deference. Deference has to do with humble submission and considering others before yourself. Proverbs 15:33 (NLT) tells us that “humility precedes honor.” To receive honor, you first have to give honor.
What verse says before honour is humility? ›
Proverbs 18:12 in Other Translations
12 Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. 12 Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor. 12 Pride first, then the crash, but humility is precursor to honor.
What does Proverbs 18:12 mean? ›
God is our only infallible source of strength. Money and personal vanity cannot give us those assurances. In contrast to arrogance, which sets up a person for failure, humility creates the best conditions for success.
What is the golden rule of humility? ›
Educators are now taking the basic Golden Rule principle of treating others as one would want to be treated and using it to teach a lesson based on personal humility — and advocating for Cultural Humility.
What is the highest form of humility? ›
It is in the service to others that is the greatest form of humility. Amongst the benefits of humility described in the Hebrew Bible, that is shared by many faiths, are honor, wisdom, prosperity, the protection of the Lord, and peace.
What truly is humility? ›
"True humility is not just about how we interact with others, but how we interact with the entire world, the environment around us. It's about accepting things with grace, even if it causes you great discomfort and loss at times."
What are the three types of humility? ›
He discussed Humility as three types: intellectual, moral and personal. By breaking humility into three types the author says it might help us nurture the behavior(s) more fully in our own lives. Intellectual humility is the knowledge that no matter how smart we are, we can always learn from others.
What does God say humility is? ›
As we mentioned earlier, the opposite of humility is pride. Humility in the Bible is presented as the practice of meekness, obedience to God, respect of self and others, submissiveness and modesty (see Colossians 3:12-13). People with humility put others' needs before their own, sacrificing for the love of others.
Proverbs 18:12 New International Version (NIV)
Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
How does God respond to humility? ›
If you're humble, God will bless you.
These promises are all through Scripture, like Isaiah 66:2: “I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts” (NLT). God doesn't bless egotistic or prideful people or those who secretly think they're better than everybody else. He blesses the humble.
What is Proverbs 29 23? ›
Proverbs 29:23 American Standard Version (ASV)
A man's pride shall bring him low; But he that is of a lowly spirit shall obtain honor.
What does Proverbs 13:13 say? ›
13 Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded. 13 People who despise advice are asking for trouble; those who respect a command will succeed.
What comes after humility? ›
Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before [or precedes] honor. Men may give the proud man honor, but real honor is preceded by humility, not by pride.
What does it mean to be humble and honored? ›
The expression "I am honored and humbled" is a way for someone to convey deep gratitude and a sense of humility in response to a recognition, award, compliment, or some other form of acknowledgment.
What is the best meaning of humility? ›
The dictionary defines humility as modesty, lacking pretense, not believing that you are superior to others. An ancillary definition includes: "Having a lowly opinion of oneself, meekness".
What does it mean when someone shows humility? ›
: freedom from pride or arrogance : the quality or state of being humble. accepted the honor with humility.
What is the deeper meaning of humility? ›
Humility is an attitude of spiritual modesty that comes from understanding our place in the larger order of things. It entails not taking our desires, successes, or failings too seriously. In the past decade in particular, psychologists have rediscovered the importance of humility.
