The Humility We Desperately Need

In a world drowning in opinions, arguments, and endless streams of information, there’s one virtue we’re sorely lacking: humility. 

On September 23, 2019 I wrote this on Facebook: 

One of the things this world needs right now is a big dose of humility. Be humble enough to listen to the other side. Be humble enough to allow the Bible to renew your mind. Be humble enough to admit that you are ignorant about most things.

That thought has only grown more relevant with time. The more we stare at screens and live inside our own echo chambers, the more arrogant and dismissive we become. We are convinced our opinions are right and that the voices we follow are the good guys.

With my Facebook post I also shared this passage from Scott Adams’ book Win Bigly: 

“The common worldview, shared by most humans, is that there is one objective reality, and we humans can understand that reality through a rigorous application of facts and reason. This view of the world imagines that some people have already achieved a fact-based type of enlightenment that is compatible with science and logic, and they are trying to help the rest of us see the world the ‘right’ way. As far as I can tell, most people share that interpretation of the world. The only wrinkle with that worldview is that we all think we are the enlightened ones. And we assume the people who disagree with us just need better facts, and perhaps better brains, in order to agree with us.” — Scott Adams, Win Bigly, p. 2

I think Adams nails it! 

We all like to think we’ve cracked the code on truth. We’re the enlightened ones, armed with the right facts, the right logic, and the right perspective. I am convinced that many times as Christians we talk about “the truth” in this way. That is why we label it with things like absolute truth ore biblical truth. We want to let the world know that truth is on our side. Those who disagree? Well, they must be misinformed, misled, sinful, or just not thinking hard enough. 

But here’s the kicker: everyone feels this way. The conservative, the progressive, the skeptic, the believer—we’re all convinced we’re the ones seeing reality clearly. And that’s where the trouble starts.

The Humility to Listen

Humility begins with listening—really listening. Not the kind where you’re just waiting for your turn to speak or mentally crafting your rebuttal while the other person talks. This is the kind of listening that seeks to understand, even when you disagree. Humility seeks to find the morals and values that are the foundation of what the other person is saying. This is hard. It’s uncomfortable. It forces you to sit with ideas that might challenge your carefully constructed worldview. 

Even though it is hard, it is one of the ways that we are able to express love for the other person. We are showing them the respect they deserve as a person created in God’s image. It is possible to love someone without agreeing with them.

In James 1:19, we’re told, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” 

James shares timeless wisdom here that slices through our modern noise. Listening doesn’t mean you have to agree. It doesn’t mean you abandon your convictions. It means you value the other person enough to hear them out, to consider that they might—just might—have a perspective worth understanding. 

Humility recognizes that no single person has a monopoly on truth, and sometimes, the “other side” might reveal a blind spot you didn’t know you had.

The Humility to Be Renewed

If we’re honest, most of us cling to our beliefs like life rafts. They give us identity, security, and a sense of belonging. 

Let me ask you a very important question: What happens when those beliefs are challenged—not by an opponent in a debate, but by the very Word of God? 

Romans 12:2 urges us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” That’s a call to humility—a willingness to let God’s truth reshape our thoughts, even when it’s uncomfortable. Are you willing to let Scripture renew your mind?

This kind of humility requires us to hold our beliefs loosely enough to let Scripture challenge them. It means admitting that our understanding of the world—whether it’s politics, morality, or even faith—might not be as airtight as we think. 

It’s not about throwing out conviction; it’s about trusting that God’s truth is bigger than our current understanding. When we approach the Bible with humility, we open ourselves to growth, to correction, and to a deeper relationship with the One who is the Truth.

The Humility to Admit Ignorance

Perhaps the hardest part of humility is admitting we don’t know as much as we think we do. In a world of instant access to information, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we’ve got it all figured out. But the reality is, our knowledge is limited. We’re finite beings trying to make sense of an infinitely complex world. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:12:

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Admitting ignorance isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. It’s the starting point for learning, for growth, for meaningful dialogue. When we acknowledge that we don’t have all the answers, we create space for curiosity, for questions, and for genuine connection with others. It’s a reminder that we’re all on a journey, and none of us has arrived at the destination yet.

Breaking the Cycle of Division

Scott Adams’ observation about our “enlightened” worldviews points to a deeper issue: our pride. 

When we assume we’re the ones with the right facts and everyone else is just wrong, we fuel division. We stop seeing people as individuals with their own stories, struggles, and reasons for believing what they do. Instead, we reduce them to caricatures—“the uninformed,” “the misguided,” or worse.

Humility flips that script. It invites us to see others as fellow travelers, not enemies. It challenges us to listen with empathy, to let God’s Word refine our thinking, and to embrace the limits of our own understanding. In a world that’s quick to shout and slow to hear, humility is a radical act—a countercultural choice that can bridge divides and foster understanding.

A Call to Action

So, where do we go from here? Let’s start small. This week, try one of these:

1. Listen to someone you disagree with. Not to argue, but to understand. Ask questions. Resist the urge to correct or convince. Just listen.
2. Let Scripture challenge you. Pick a passage that feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar, and sit with it. Ask God to renew your mind, even if it means rethinking something you’ve held dear.
3. Admit you don’t know. The next time you’re tempted to act like an expert, pause. Acknowledge the limits of your knowledge, and invite someone else to share their perspective.

The world doesn’t need more people shouting their version of the truth. It needs more people humble enough to listen, to learn, and to grow. Let’s be those people.

What’s one way you’ve practiced humility lately? Or, what’s a situation where you’ve struggled to stay humble? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.