VERSES ON HUMILITY:

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." (James 4:10)

"Let nothing be done through selfish ambitions or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." (Philippians 2:3)

"When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom." (Proverbs 11:2)

Also See: Proverbs 29:23 & Ephesians 4:2

Humility is the opposite of pride and it's a heart condition God requires for those seeking a close relationship with Him through Christ. It's pride that causes us, in our human nature, to rebel against God, to hide our faces from Him, continue chasing our fleshly desires and deny any and all wrong-doing and God calls that refusal to repent, or rebellion.

However, for those who dwell in humility; exalting God and giving Him the glory for everything, repentance comes with ease and feels like a weight being lifted; it makes a believer feel free because the truth makes us free. (see Isaiah 59:2).

Repentance keeps the soul humble because it reminds us that we fail everyday, but it's okay, because we serve a God who understands and forgives, if we give our lives to Him in faith through Christ and are humble enough to admit our misdeeds and mistakes. This is the definition and purpose of repentance. It's admitting our sin was WRONG. And it's something, that if we could go back again, we would not do. It's like when we say "I'm sorry, I won't do that again." It's a heartfelt godly sorrow mixed with a decision (or followed by) that says: 'that thing I did was a mistake, I will try, with God's help, to never do that again." It involves a change of mind.

Moreover, inasmuch as the Only One Who can cleanse us is Jesus, through His Blood and we know that sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2). Clearly repentance is not only necessary, but also beautiful, because it brings such relief from the burden of sin. 

Repentance also reminds us that Almighty God is the One in charge and we need to come to Him on our knees in humility and godly sorrow, because He is ALL KNOWING and whatever He tells us, we really ought to listen and obey.

When you really think about it, those who refuse to admit repentance is a gift from God (in the sense that He provides it and everything He provides is a gift and also by Scripture referring to it as God granting it), are being held back by some degree of pride. Even a small amount can deceive believers into thinking everything they're doing is acceptable to God, that the sins they are denying are no big deal.

VERSES ON REPENTANCE:

2 Timothy 2:25 "Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth"

Acts 11:18 "When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life."

Romans 2:4 "Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?"

Matthew 3:8 "Produce fruit in keeping with repentance."

NOTE: This verse in Matthew illustrates to us not only that God would have us to repent, but that repentance, when implemented rightly, will lead the believer to a change in behavior. This is also why the Apostle Paul taught his Church that we are to "put off the old man and put on the new man."

Ephesians 4:20-24 "But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."

Here we can clearly see a humble countenance toward God, that agrees with Him that His Ways are far superior to our ways in the flesh! Furthermore, please note that this only works when we recognize it as an ongoing thing; a refining process that gradually gives way to a deeper level of holiness.

ESV, KJV

Linzy is a certified Bible Counsellor, with countless republications on her viewers blogs, Bible Studies, Ezines and the like. Her portfolio includes, non-fiction articles, short stories for all ages, and Christian poetry.