God’s Opposition of the Proud
Another passage our pastor cited Wednesday night was James 4, especially verses 6-10. Here’s the text:
“But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, ‘God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.”
What stands out in this passage to me is the fact that God is diametrically opposed to pride and the prideful. This isn’t one of those ho-hum sins (as if there were such a thing). There is no middle ground; there is no gray area. James say that “God is opposed to the proud.” Another version says, “God resists the proud.” Proverbs tells us God hates pride; it’s an abomination to Him. The proud cannot know God. One cannot come to God without first being humbled. To come to God in any other way than total humility is futile. We bring nothing to the table; we have nothing to offer Him. To think otherwise is foolishness.
The text is clear. God will not give grace to the proud. His grace is reserved only for the humble. He follows up that by saying, “Submit therefore to God.” Submission to God is a natural outgrowth of a humble heart. Where there is no submission to God, there is no relationship with God. Where ego reigns, God will not. When we become consumed with our own desires, our own “rights,” our own ideas, and really just ourselves; we alienate the Almighty. He will not extend His grace. He will oppose us, and that is a scary thing. We must humbly draw near to God, coming with pure hearts and minds. We must bow before the King, humbling ourselves before Him.
It is not ONLY to admit that we are nothing,..but to become aware that we are nothing WITHOUT god. AND to give credit where it is due. To both god, and the sacrifice of the flesh of his son Jesus, and to the salvation that lies therin. To PRAISE them AND THANK them for not only today but also yesterday and tomorrow in even the most finite moments in our lives. THANK you (GOD) for reminding me to simply be thankful,…rather than wrapped up in my own emotions concerning the everyday battle! I pray that we accept the notions of God’s protection with whole- hearted faith and faithfulness! Also that we prevail on his behalf…IN THANKS! Happiest of holidays to you!!!
well said – BUT – remember we CANNOT humble ourselves in such a way as to get in right standing with God. only God can humiliate us in such a way that humility will be the fruit. it is NOT possible to humble oneself without the grace of God. which God bestows on His own prerogative to His very elect.