…Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you…

(1 Peter 5:5-6 ESV)

Showing humility toward one another is a primary one another command, so it is also a key aspect of sanctification.  Philippians 2 equates the humility we are to exhibit with the humility Christ demonstrated by becoming human and dying on the cross.  You cannot be Christlike without being humble.  That’s why, when we refuse to humble ourselves toward each other God sets His face against us. 

Being humble toward others means viewing them and treating them with the same dignity and respect we want to receive.  We to be treated as valuable and know that our contributions are seen as worthwhile.  We want to know people value our opinions and want to listen to our words.  We want to be seen as equal human beings.  Humble people treat others that way.

Proud people treat others as though they are less valuable, less capable, less intelligent, less human.  They have an overly favorable opinion of themselves, their abilities, their intellect, and their contributions, so they look down on others.  They create factions seeking to draw people around them who will confirm their inflated view of themselves and making sure others are not so affirmed. 

If anyone had the right to look down on others, it would have been Jesus.  He was better, more capable, more intelligent, more powerful, more everything, yet He exhibited humility and grace toward everyone.  He treated people as valuable.  He loved them and sacrificed Himself for them. 

Humility is a bit difficult to define, but Paul gave a good description of what it looks like in Philippians 2:3-8.  Humble people see others as more significant than themselves.  They are as concerned about other people’s thoughts, desires and interests as they are about their own.  Like Jesus, they are willing to sacrifice themselves and their interests for the good of others when necessary. 

Humble people have an accurate assessment of themselves – their sins and faults as well as their good points.  They recognize that they are not perfect and are nothing apart from Christ.  They also have an accurate assessment of others – their good points as well as their bad – and they accept them as they are.  They know they are just as flawed, if not more so.  Humble people create a unified church, and they receive God’s blessing and commendation.  The very things proud people are trying to achieve but cannot have.