The first step to brokenness and humility is to get honest and acknowledge your need. Walk in the light; agree with God about what He has revealed to be the true condition of your heart. Don't try to cover up, justity, rationalize, compare yourself with someone else, or pretend that you are better off than you really are. The Bible tells us:

"Humble yourself In the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up" (James 4:10)

The infinite riches and blessings of the kingdom of God belong to those who recognize their spiritual poverty. This is what Jesus meant when He said,

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.(Matthew 5:30)

Let's look at some of the differences between a heart that is proud, haughty, and unbroken and one that is humble, meek, and in subjection to God's Holy word.

Proud people focus on the failures of others and can readily point out those faults. Broken people are more conscious of their own spiritual need than of anyone else's.

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? (Matthew 7:3)

Proud people have a critical, fault-finding spirit. They look at everyone else's faults with microscope but view their own with a telescope. Broken people are compassionate - they have the kind of love that overlooks a multitude of sins; they can forgive much because they know how much they have been forgiven.

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.(Matt. 6:14-15)

Proud people are especially prone to criticize those in positions of authority their pastor, their boss, their husband, their parents - and they talk to others about the faults they see. Broken people reverence, encourage, and lift up those that God has placed in positions of authority, and they talk to God in intercession, rather than gossiping abouts the faults they see in others.

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.(1 Tim. 2:1,2)

Proud people are self-righteous; they think highly of themselves and look down on others. Broken people think the best of others, they esteem others as better than themselves.

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.(Philipians 2:3)

Proud people have an independent, self-sufficient spirit. Broken people have a dependent spirit, they recognize their need for God and for others.

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (Rom. 6:16)

Proud people have to prove that they are right - they have to get the last word. Broken people are willing to yield the right to be right.

But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. (Matt. 5:39-41)

Proud people claim their rights and have a demanding spirit. Broken people yield their rights and have a meek spirit.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.(Matt. 5:5)

Proud people are self-protective of their time, their rights, their reputation. Broken people are self-denying and self sacrificing.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.(Rom. 12:1)

Proud people desire to be served; they want life to revolve around them and their needs. Broken people are motivated to serve others and to be sure others needs are met before their own.

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.(Gal. 5:13)

Proud people desire to be known as a success.They crave self-advancement. Broken people are motivated to be faithful and to promote others.

Proud people have a drive to be recognized and appreciated for their efforts. Broken people have a sense of their own unworthiness; they are thrilled that God would use them at all.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Matt. 6:6)

Proud people have a feeling - conscious or subconscious - that "this ministry (or this organization) is privileged to have me and my gifts. They focus on what they can do for God. Broken people have a heart attitude that says, "I don't deserve to have any part in the ministry". They know that they have nothing to offer God except the life of Jesus flowing through their broken lives.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.(John 15:5)

Proud people get wounded when others are promoted and they are overlooked. Broken people are eager for others to get the credit, and they rejoice when others are lifted up.

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. (Romans 12:15)

Proud people are elated by praise and deflated by criticism. Broken people know that any praise of their accomplishments belongs to the Lord and that criticism can help them grow into spiritual maturity.

My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. (Heb 12:5-6)

Proud people feel confident in how much they know. Broken people are humbled by how very much they have to learn.

For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. (1 Cor. 1:19)

Proud people are concerned about appearing respectable; they are driven to protect their image. Proud people are self-conscious: they worry about what others think of them. Broken people are not preoccupied with what others think of them.Broken people are concerned with being real! They care less about what others think than about what God knows - they are willing to die to their own reputation.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But 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. (Philipians  2:5-8)

Proud people are quick to blame others. Broken people accept personal responsibility and can acknowledge where they were wrong in a situation.

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16)

Proud people have a hard time saying "I was wrong. Will you please forgive me". Proud people wait for others to come and ask forgiveness when there is a misunderstanding or a breach in a relationship. Broken people are quick to admit their failure and to seek forgiveness when wronged. Broken people take the initiative to be reconciled, no matter how wrong the other party may have been.

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. (Matt. 5:24)

Proud people are unapproachable or defensive when corrected. Broken people receive correction with a humble, open spirit.

Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. (Matt. 5:25)

Proud people try to control the people and the circumstances around them -- they are prone to manipulate. Broken people trust God - they rest In Him and are able to wait for Him to act on their behalf.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)

Proud people become bitter and resentful when they are wronged. They hold others hostage and are easily offended. They carry grudges and keep a record of others' wrongs. Broken people find thanks in all things. They are quick to forgive those who wrong them.

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth. (I Cor. 13:4-8)