No character in the Bible was perfect except Jesus. The men and women we often call heroes of the faith were deeply flawed people. Yet God chose to use their lives for our benefit and His glory.
As Romans 15:4 says: "For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."
David committed adultery and arranged the death of an innocent man. Moses struggled with anger. Jonah ran from God's call. Peter was impulsive and prideful. Before his conversion, Paul persecuted Christians and was zealous for his own understanding of righteousness. Yet after encountering Christ, he humbled himself and became one of the greatest missionaries in history.
Moses was called the most humble man on earth (Numbers 12:3), yet he had weaknesses. Jonah struggled with obedience and bitterness. The Prodigal Son humbled himself and returned to the Father. The tax collector in Luke 18 beat his chest and cried for mercy, while the Pharisee remained proud.
Yet God still used them. Why? Not because they were perfect. Not because they never failed. But because when confronted by God, they humbled themselves. David repented and cried out for mercy in Psalm 51. Peter wept bitterly after denying Christ. Paul counted all his accomplishments as loss compared to knowing Jesus. Time and time again, we see a pattern: God is drawn to humble hearts.
Scripture tells us: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6) And again: "He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way." (Psalm 25:9)
Many people are called by God. Many even answer that call. But not everyone develops the character necessary to remain in the position God has given them. Humility is not weakness. It is a strength under submission to God.
Humility means:
Acknowledging your need for God.
Recognizing your own sins and shortcomings.
Receiving help when you need it.
Being teachable and correctable.
Confessing your sins instead of hiding them.
Allowing the Lord to lead rather than insisting on your own way.
Receiving from God and from others with gratitude.
One of the greatest examples of humility in Scripture is Peter. Before Jesus washed his feet, Peter resisted:
"You shall never wash my feet." (John 13:8) Peter struggled to receive from Jesus. Yet humility is not only about serving others. It is also about allowing yourself to be served by Christ. Peter eventually surrendered, and later God used him powerfully to advance the Gospel and build the early church.
One lesson God has taught me about humility came through homelessness.
The first time I became homeless, my circumstances were humble, but my heart was not always humble. I still wanted control. I still thought I knew what was best. I struggled to receive help, correction, and guidance from others. Looking back, I realize that difficult circumstances alone do not produce humility.
The second time I became homeless, God began confronting areas of pride in my life. He showed me that humility is more than being brought low by circumstances; it is acknowledging my need for Him. It is recognizing that I do not have all the answers. It is allowing Him to lead me even when I am afraid. What amazes me is God's patience. He did not abandon me in my pride or my fears. Instead, He walked with me through them. He gently exposed areas of my heart that needed healing and taught me to depend on Him in a deeper way.
That is why I believe humility is not simply about serving others. Humility is also receiving help when you need it, acknowledging your weaknesses, confessing your sins, and trusting God enough to follow His direction. Sometimes the greatest act of humility is admitting that you cannot do it on your own and allowing the Lord to carry you through what you cannot carry yourself.
The truth is that God is not looking for perfect people. He is looking for surrendered people. The Bible is filled with imperfect men and women who failed, repented, learned, and followed Him. Their lives remind us that our mistakes do not disqualify us from God's purposes. Pride does. But humility keeps our hearts in a place where God can continue to shape, refine, and use us for His glory.
Perhaps the question isn't whether God can use imperfect people. Scripture has already answered that. The real question is whether we are humble enough to let Him shape us. Are we willing to admit our need for Him, confess our sins, receive help when needed, and follow His leading? God has always used imperfect people, but He does something remarkable with humble hearts.
References
The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011.
Scripture References
James 4:6 – God gives grace to the humble.
John 13:1–17 – Jesus washes the disciples' feet.
John 13:8 – Peter resists Jesus washing his feet.
Luke 15:11–32 – The Parable of the Prodigal Son.
Luke 18:9–14 – The Pharisee and the Tax Collector.
Matthew 26:69–75 – Peter denies Jesus, and later weeps bitterly.
Numbers 12:3 – Moses is described as a humble man.
Philippians 3:7–8 – Paul counts all things as loss compared to knowing Christ.
Psalm 25:9 – God leads the humble.
Psalm 51 – David's prayer of repentance.
Romans 15:4 – Scripture written for our instruction and encouragement.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New International Version (NIV).