Humble Yourselves Before the Lord: A Reflection on Benny Hinn’s Divorce and the Power of Humility
James 4:10 – “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
Years ago, as I was going about my day doing housework, I found myself listening to one of my favorite pastors on TV. I wasn’t expecting to hear anything particularly groundbreaking, but the show ended, and then popular televangelist Benny Hinn came on. To be honest, I don’t typically watch Benny Hinn on TV. We don’t align theologically, and while I don’t criticize his ministry, I choose not to follow him closely.
I’m careful about how I phrase this. It’s crucial not to engage in the kind of judgment that many Christians tend to fall into—attacking, criticizing, or bickering about each other’s differences.
Instead, I’ve come to realize that my role as a believer is not to focus on every minor theological point that divides us.
As long as we can agree on the core beliefs of the Christian faith—Jesus Christ as God’s Son, His death for our sins, and His resurrection—I’m content.
The rest is often “academic” to me, and I choose not to get bogged down in debates that ultimately don’t affect salvation.
We can disagree on specifics—whether it’s tongues or certain practices—but that doesn’t stop us from enjoying a meal or a meaningful conversation together.Â
We’re family in Christ.Â
The goal is always to stay united in our shared faith, and I’ll leave the theological defense to the experts. For me, as a parishioner, my focus is on keeping my heart right before God and not bickering over the details.
The Shocking Revelation: Benny Hinn’s Divorce Announcement
As I was half-heartedly watching Benny Hinn’s broadcast, he began to announce something that caught me completely off guard: he was getting a divorce. I hadn’t heard any rumors, and the announcement felt so unexpected. He explained the reasons behind the breakdown of his marriage, clarifying that infidelity was not the issue. But what followed left me stunned. Benny Hinn openly admitted that his obsession with traveling the world for ministry had taken a severe toll on his family life.
Hinn confessed that for years, he believed ministry had to take precedence over everything else, including his wife and children. His words, filled with regret, resonated deeply with me as he said, “I was wrong.” In that moment, I realized how many families could be saved by this honest admission. It reminded me of the power of humility, and how we often fail to realize the impact of our choices until it’s too late.
As I reflect on that moment, even now, I see Hinn’s humility in a different light. Over time, it became clear that his willingness to admit his mistakes—and to share that process publicly—was an act of integrity. His public apology wasn’t just a personal revelation; it was a lesson on true Christianity, humility, and grace. Too many critics fail to understand the courage it takes to do what he did.
No Criticism, Just Grace
Let me clarify: I’m not here to criticize Benny Hinn or his ministry. My intention is not to condemn, but to highlight the powerful example of humility he set. In a world where pastors and leaders are often put on pedestals and subjected to harsh criticism, it takes a lot of courage to step back and say, “I made a mistake. I was wrong.” Benny Hinn’s public confession of his mistakes teaches us all something about being real before God and the world.
I can’t help but wonder: Would I have done the same? Could I humble myself in front of the world and admit to my failures? So many of us struggle with pride, refusing to admit when we’ve wronged someone—whether it’s a co-worker, spouse, or even a child. And yet, the Bible teaches us the power of humility and reconciliation.
There have been times when we’ve been called to apologize for something we didn’t even do, all in the name of peace. And as difficult as it is, it’s in those moments that our hearts align with God’s will. It’s tough. Humbling ourselves often feels like a huge personal sacrifice, but it’s what God calls us to do.
Judge a Person by Their Life, Not Their Errors
The challenge here is not to view others through the lens of their mistakes, but to evaluate them based on their character, their life, and their relationship with Christ. We all fall short. We all make mistakes. But how we handle those mistakes, and whether we choose to humble ourselves in the process, is what truly matters in the eyes of God.
A few years ago, someone very close to me called me in tears, offering an apology. She didn’t specify what she had done, but she expressed deep sorrow. “God knows my heart, and I’m sorry,” she said. I’ll never know exactly what happened, but it didn’t matter. I loved her deeply, and her humility spoke volumes about the authenticity of her Christian walk. In that moment, I felt the depth of grace and forgiveness, and it was a reminder that humility is one of the greatest acts of love we can show one another.
Her apology was not just an acknowledgment of wrongdoing—it was an expression of deep humility that opened the door to healing, reconciliation, and greater trust. True Christianity is not about pride or self-righteousness. It’s about loving others as Christ loves us, extending grace, and being humble in our relationships.
Humbling Ourselves Before the Lord
Today, I reflect on James 4:10, where we are reminded, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.”The lesson is clear: Humility before God is essential for spiritual growth. It is through humbling ourselves that God can use us in the most powerful ways. When we surrender our pride and self-sufficiency, we open ourselves up to God’s grace and power.
Colossians 3:1-3 reminds us that as believers, we are called to set our hearts on things above. We are no longer defined by our earthly status or pride; our lives are hidden in Christ.
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:1-3, NIV)
When we humble ourselves and focus on Christ, we can let go of our need for approval from others, and we can truly live in the freedom that comes from knowing that our identity is secure in Christ alone.
The Need for Humility in Ministry
Ministry is not about elevating ourselves; it’s about serving others and pointing them to Jesus. It’s about being willing to make the tough decisions and sacrifices that God asks of us.Â
True ministry requires humility, as we see in the life of Jesus. He humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross, showing us that true greatness comes from serving others (Philippians 2:5-11).
I challenge you today to think about your own life and your ministry. Are you humbling yourself before the Lord? Are you willing to admit your mistakes and ask for forgiveness when needed? Are you letting go of pride and seeking God’s will above all else? Humility is not a one-time act—it’s a lifestyle.
Update on Benny Hinn
In a beautiful turn of events, Benny Hinn re-married his wife in 2013. It’s a reminder that God’s grace is abundant and that, with humility and a willingness to seek restoration, even the most difficult situations can be redeemed.
Update on the Update:
As of July 2024, Benny Hinn and his wife, Suzanne Hinn, are separated and not married. Suzanne filed for divorce again in Hillsborough County Court in Tampa, Florida.
Court documents show the couple is living apart; Benny lives in Palm Coast, and Suzanne lives in Longwood, Florida, more than 60 miles apart. (premierchristian.news, themckinneylawgroup.com) (premierchristian.news, themckinneylawgroup.com)
This marks the second time Suzanne has filed for divorce. Their first divorce occurred in 2010, citing irreconcilable differences. They reconciled and remarried in 2013 in a ceremony at the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, Florida .(the-sun.com)
The reasons for the current separation have not been publicly disclosed. However, in past statements, Benny Hinn has mentioned that their previous divorce was influenced by Suzanne’s struggles with prescription medication and his own focus on ministry over family .
Chile, I guess it is always good to update your blog post. Life has lots of moving parts.
Oh Well…The Power of Humility Is Still Legit.
Let’s remember that our journey as Christians is not about being perfect, but about being real before God. Humbling ourselves before a real God opens the door to healing, restoration, and transformation.Â
It’s about allowing God to work through our brokenness and using our experiences to help others.
Whether you are a pastor, a parishioner, or anyone in between, let us strive to live humbly and authentically before the Lord, so that He can lift us up and use us for His glory.
Remember, humility isn’t just about apologizing or admitting our mistakes. It’s about an attitude of surrender, where we let go of our pride and embrace the grace that God freely gives.
If you’ve been holding on to pride or self-righteousness, take a moment today to lay it down before God. Humble yourself in prayer, asking for His guidance and grace. Let Him lift you up and show you the power of authentic, humble living.
I won’t be writing any more articles like these! I wish them all well.
Thank you for your support, Sara. I get so many emails “yelling” at me for one reason or another – most are from people who don’t even believe in God. I guess, it’s good they read, huh?
Anyhoo, thanks for your support. Contrary to what many believe (and email me) Christianity “ain’t” for chumps! :)
Wow Teri, there is so much packed into this post. First, a big AMEN to not tearing each other down because of the small differences of faith. It’s funny to me, because when I was in seminary, I saw people of faith who professed to be liberal and open, but were completely judgmental of those who thought differently than them. As Christians, we are tearing ourselves, and our faith, apart with our petty differences. We need to commit ourselves to Christ and work on building the kingdom of God, not our denominations.
Second, sincere humility is so powerful, and it does take guts to live that way. For such a small word, sorry can be so hard to say.
Finally, you’re so right about not needing to prove ourselves to people. I get too caught up in that, wanting to please, wanting to be “the best” at whatever I’m doing, wanting affirmation or praise. However, the only affirmation or praise I should be seeking is that which comes from God. At the end, when I’m kneeling before his throne, it is his voice I want to hear saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”