You Are Dirt!

“And the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground…” (Gen. 2:7). Just imagine the myriad choices the Creator had in front of Him from which to create us. At that point, Creation included a dazzling array of mammals, fish, water, pure air, trees and flowering plants.

Yet God made us from lowly dirt! Why?

How we use “dirt” and related words in modern language can make the Creator’s choice seem even more perplexing: “You’re dirt” is an insult of the highest order—criminals and conmen are often labeled “dirtbags”—and those of ill-repute are told, “Your name is mud!” Now think of how politicians engage in “mud-slinging” to smear their rivals. There are also “dirty” words, thoughts and movies.

On top of this, no one wants to get dirty. We do our best to avoid soil, muck, mud, clay, mire and gook. We bathe regularly. We strive to keep soil out of our homes. Even in our yards, we hide the cloddy brown earth underneath manicured green grass.

So, again, why were we fashioned from dirt?

Yet we were not just created from the soil. God goes one step further by declaring: “For dust you are, and unto dust shall you return” (Gen. 3:19).

Do not overcomplicate this. We are dust! This verse also tells us that, at the end of our physical lives, human bodies go in the ground and become worm food.

A central reason God made us from dirt is to remind us we are physical. Without God’s Plan for us, we are nothing—we would live around 70 years and disappear from existence. Because of this, we need to come to grips that we are dirt and more fully rely on our Creator.

Look at how King David viewed his existence: “You have made my days as a handbreadth; and my age is as nothing before You: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity” (Psa. 39:5).

Let’s summarize: God wants us to know that we are dirt, we will be dirt again and, in between, have a lifespan of a few inches. None of this is uplifting!

Put another way, our Creator wants us to be humble. This word means the same in the Old and New Testaments: to depress, abase, reduce to a plain, stoop, bow down and become low.

Dirt is not just low to the ground—it is the ground! The facts that human beings were created from dust, are dust, and return to dust are all there as a constant reminder to be humble. Even more, this attitude is essential for God to work with us to the fullest extent. Note the characteristics He desires in His servants: “To this man will I look, even to him that is poor [humble and lowly] and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at My word” (Isa. 66:2).

We must never forget our “dirty” origins and all they mean.

Potter and Clay

Think of dusty soil. What happens when you add water? You will get mud that can be globbed together. If it is the right type of dirt, you will get clay, which can be even more carefully shaped and molded. God wants to do the same with us. He has given us His Holy Spirit—which is typed by water (John 7:37-39)—and He is actively shaping us. Our Father wants to build His holy, righteous character within us.

Read Isaiah 64:8, which states, “But now, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and we all are the work of Your hand.” This is the attitude we should all have. The clay must be content to be the clay! It has no say in how and what the potter decides to make out of it.

Paul also emphasized this analogy in Romans 9: “Has not the potter power over the clay?” (vs. 21). The clay must be willing to submit and know that it is not in charge. God, as the Potter, decides when and where to add water, knead, spin, mold and heat us.

If we forget we are clay, we can fall into a dangerous attitude. Notice Isaiah 45: “Woe unto him that strives with his Maker!…Shall the clay say to Him that fashioned it, What make You? Or Your work, He has no hands?” (vs. 9).

Imagine a potter working on a clay pot. All of the sudden, the lump of clay snidely says, “You are making me wrong!” This scenario is silly, yet it is exactly how God views men and women who buck against how He is shaping them.

For the Father, dealing with pride in our character—the opposite of humility—is like working with obstinate clay.

Opposite of Humble

Let’s put this all in perspective. God stretched out the universe like a curtain (Psa. 104:2), is clothed in almighty power, and has all authority. Demons, tremendously more powerful than humans, tremble in mortal fear of Him (Jms. 2:19). This all describes the Being shaping our character.

Now, how would we react if we knew there is something in us that our Eternal God hates? Would we want to immediately change or put it off?

Pride is one of those things! God declares: “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate” (Prov. 8:13). Notice that pride is first on this list of qualities God hates. Pride—thinking too highly of ourselves and not relying on God—must be rooted out of our lives. Otherwise, we risk the terrible end that comes from being proud. Let the following scriptures sober you:

• “Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place” (Job 40:12).
• “The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaks proud things” (Psa. 12:3).
• “And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible” (Isa. 13:11).
• “Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished” (Prov. 16:5).

Do not sugarcoat it: Having a lifted-up view of oneself is an abomination to God. This attitude, allowed to fester, brings about spiritual blindness—and ultimately a form of spiritual insanity.

Note the example of Lucifer, who is also called Satan: “How are you fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!…For you have said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God…I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High” (Isa. 14:12-14).

Lucifer’s end is the same as anyone who stubbornly clings to pride. God says, “Yet you shall be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit” (vs. 15).

In his twisted thinking, Satan believed he had the ability to replace God. He still believes this, and broadcasts his nature to humans all over the Earth (Eph. 2:2). We too can fall into this wrong, head-in-the-clouds thinking if we do not make it a habit to remember we are dirt.

Annual Reminders

How important is staying humble and low to the ground? God has an entire seven-day festival devoted to it each year: the Days of Unleavened Bread, with Passover just before it.

Our physical minds are a sieve. Spiritual knowledge must be constantly refreshed, renewed and reviewed—otherwise, God’s truths gradually fall out of our thinking. Without continued effort, we can go from a humble attitude to a prideful one.

The Days of Unleavened Bread provide an annual reminder to remove pride and arrogance from our lives. As with man being created from “the dust of the ground,” the rich symbolism of unleavened bread should not be forgotten. It reminds us to be “flat,” similar to how dirt is low.

Leviticus 23:6 lists the command to keep these days: “And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the Lord: seven days you must eat unleavened bread.”

We eat unleavened bread—made without yeast or other leavening agents—every day of this festival. Notice how Deuteronomy 16:3 describes this bread: “You shall eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shall you eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction.”

The word “affliction” can also be translated “depression,” which should remind us of the depressed state of dirt. Physically, unleavened bread is not “uplifting” to consume because it is hard and dense.

Another crucial meaning of the symbol of unleavened bread is God’s Law. In Exodus, God told Moses: “Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with you…And it shall be for a sign unto you upon your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that the Lord’s law may be in your mouth…” (Ex. 13:7, 9).

Unleavened bread symbolizes God’s Law, which is His truth (Psa. 119:142). Proverbs 16:6 says: “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged.” Therefore, consuming the Law—through Bible study—and obeying what it commands will purge sin and pride from our lives!

Sincerity and Truth

Why is dirt-like humility so important? Why does God favor this characteristic? Put simply, it allows Him to more easily work with individuals. He can show them where they need to grow and change. Also, in humility, they will accept correction and strive to do better.

Yet, in this process, we can never forget how deceitful our minds are in their natural state. Human nature’s default position is that life is hunky dory—everything is fine as is. One of the most deceptive forms of this is false humility.

Jesus warned His disciples of this: “Beware you of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy” (Luke 12:1).

Thayer’s Lexicon defines hypocrisy as “the acting of a stage-player.” The Pharisees looked righteous and probably felt righteous—yet they were filled with pride. This attitude puffed them up like leaven.

We should regularly ask God to help us be humble. Beseech Him to reveal places where pride may be hiding in our lives—where we need to change. Removing self-righteous hypocrisy is also a theme of the Days of Unleavened Bread: “Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (I Cor. 5:8).

The Passover service also contains a reminder about remaining low to the ground: the foot-washing ceremony. Few things in life are as humbling as washing someone’s feet. Before Jesus introduced the symbols of bread and wine, He went around and washed the disciples’ feet. He then said this: “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” (John 13:14-15).

Coming off this instruction, we all wash one another’s feet as part of the Passover service. It is a physical reminder to remain lowly in thinking and to serve one another. Jesus Christ is God—yet He came as a servant.

Grow in Humility

God stated to Israel: “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (II Chron. 7:14).

There is rich meaning in this verse. Notice that the very first item on the list is to be humble! This applies to Israelites, but it also applies to us. It is consistent with the potter-and-clay analogy. Realize that God says we must do it ourselves! Being humble is not something He does, although as we will see, God can become involved if the need arises.

One way to grow in humility is to actively apply Philippians 2:3, where the apostle Paul stated, “In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Esteeming others better than ourselves does not come with a qualifier. Here “other” simply means brethren in the Church, which is clearly the context of the chapter. Yet this should also include those who do not know God’s truth (Gal. 6:10).

How do we do this? One simple way is to look at others and see where they excel ourselves. You may notice that another person is always more joyful than you, or is highly skilled at a musical instrument, or is really good at setting others at ease. Finding these characteristics can help deflate any self-centered, lofty thinking. Eventually you can begin to see that other people are, overall, better than you.

Sabbath services offers the perfect environment to apply Philippians 2:3. There is always something to learn from others and the following points will help you to esteem others better than yourself:

• Always strive to get to know brethren better. Ask them about their life experiences, their careers, where they grew up, their families, other friends they have in the Church, trials they may be going through, their calling, and so forth. Most important, be sincere and remember the answers so that you build upon them in your next conversation. Consider Romans 12:10, which encourages us to “be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.”
• Do not start or dominate a conversation by talking about yourself or your own experiences! That said, when a conversation naturally gravitates toward an opportunity to share your experiences that could benefit others, then it may be appropriate. Remember, the reason to talk about yourself should be to benefit others—not you! You will quickly gain trust in any relationship when you have this mindset of outgoing concern. Remember James 1:19 says, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak.”
• Never “talk down” to new brethren God is calling and always welcome them with open arms at services while applying the above two points.

More Ways

Another way to grow in humility is admit when we make mistakes. It is humbling to go to others and tell them we wronged them and then ask for their forgiveness. Whatever the situation—such as being brusk to a co-worker or hurting a Church member’s feelings—we should be ready to recognize what happened and remedy the situation.

Even if you think there is the slightest possibility you have offended a person, go to him. True humility comes when admitting wrong becomes a habit.

It is the same with approaching God in prayer. We must readily admit our sins.

I John 1:8-9 reveals the difference between pride and humility: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

An additional tool to remain humble is fasting—going without food or water for a period of time, usually 24 hours. Fasting should be done with sincere intent to change. We must be like clay—ready to be shaped and molded! This should all be done with intense prayer, study and meditation while asking God where we need to be more like Him.

Trials are also used by God to humble us. Yet He only wants to use these as a last resort! We should not wait for severe tribulation to flatten us as God had to do with Job. Rather, the quickest way to build righteous character—which includes humility—is to simply do what He says. This takes enormous faith and temperance, but with God all things are possible (Mark 10:27).

Humbling ourselves correctly is much more effective than learning to be humble through humiliating trials. It also gives God proof that we want to follow Him and do what He says. Humbling ourselves is a powerful indicator to God that we are responsible, which makes it much easier for Him to effectively use us for His purpose.

Finally, those who are truly humble seek God’s will over their own. Christ’s example fits this perfectly: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who…made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:5-8).

Each day we should seek to emulate Christ’s example. He accepted going from being God to having “no reputation.” He was a servant who looked out for the needs of others more than His own. He humbly let go of His own will—and obeyed God’s will to the point of death.

This is the attitude that we all should have! Ask God to help you. Examine your life for the places you are doing your will rather than the Father’s. Pray daily for His will to be done in your life (Matt. 6:10).

Actively doing these things will help you stay low to the ground.

End Result

What is the ultimate form of humility? While we want to remember we were created from dirt and to stay flat and unleavened—this is not where God wants us to stay.

Again, what is the ultimate form of humility? It is exaltation! I Peter 5:6 states: “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.”

When we effectively humble ourselves, exaltation can come. Yet it is not from ourselves, as did the Pharisees, but directly from God. The ultimate exaltation will come when we are born again in His Family in the Kingdom of God!

In this life now, however, God has laid out many smaller steps where exaltation may occur. It could be a promotion at work or a greater area of leadership in your congregation. God can bring these things if you effectively humble yourself first.

The word “exalt” in I Peter 5:6 can also be translated “elevated” or “lifted up.” In other words, if you want to grow or be lifted up in any area of your Christian life, then humble yourself first. Being content with being dirt—the clay!—can unlock much growth in our character.

Humility is the key to truly change our lives. By remaining lowly in our own minds, we can stay on the path to ultimate, righteous exaltation.

Until then, remember, you are dirt!