Walking Humbly: The Foundation of a Godly Life

“He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?”
— Micah 6:8 (NKJV)

We’ve talked about justice—standing for what is right.
We’ve talked about mercy—extending grace when it’s undeserved.
Now, we come to the third call of Micah 6:8: to walk humbly with our God.

At first glance, humility might not seem as action-packed as justice or mercy. But in reality, humility is what keeps both of those things in check. Without humility, justice becomes prideful self-righteousness. Without humility, mercy can feel like an act of superiority rather than grace.

Humility isn’t just a posture—it’s the foundation of a godly life.

What Does It Mean to Walk Humbly?

To “walk” with God means to live in relationship with Him, moving in step with His ways rather than our own. To do it humbly means we recognize who He is—and who we are in comparison.

Humility is not weakness, self-hatred, or thinking you’re worthless. True humility is seeing yourself accurately—understanding that every good thing we have comes from God. It’s recognizing that He is God, and we are not.

Jesus modeled this perfectly. Philippians 2:6-8 tells us that though Jesus was God Himself, He humbled Himself, taking on the role of a servant, even to the point of dying on a cross. If the Son of God walked in humility, how much more should we?

Why Is Humility So Important?

The Bible makes it clear: God is drawn to humility and resists pride.

• “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)
• “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10)
• “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)

Pride makes us believe we can handle life on our own. It keeps us from admitting when we’re wrong. It makes us seek recognition rather than God’s glory. Humility, on the other hand, keeps our hearts open to correction, grace, and growth.

How Do We Walk Humbly with God?

1. Recognize that everything we have is from Him. (Our talents, wisdom, and even our next breath are gifts, not entitlements.)
2. Seek God’s will above our own. (Humility means surrendering our plans when they don’t align with His.)
3. Be teachable. (A humble heart is willing to admit mistakes and learn from others.)
4. Serve others instead of seeking status. (Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. What does that tell us about leadership and humility?)
5. Pray with dependence, not self-sufficiency. (Prayer isn’t just about asking—it’s about acknowledging our need for God.)

Reflection Questions

1. Do you agree that pride is one of the biggest obstacles to spiritual growth? Why or why not?
2. How do you recognize when pride is creeping into your heart?
3. Although no one is perfect, who is someone in your life that models humility well? What can you learn from them?
4. What’s one way you can practice humility in your daily life this week?