But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6
Looking at self and lifting self up is the focus of the world. No one wants to look down upon themselves and think of themselves as less than what they think they are. Being able to do everything on one’s own abilities makes one self-sufficient and not needing help from others. Doing this allows one to be proud of oneself and one’s accomplishments, thus there is a desire to do more and more.
James states that God is against those who are proud, but gives grace to those who are humble.
The world does not see anything wrong with a person being proud. One should be able to be proud of what is accomplished. The more that one can do, the more that one should be proud. It is all focused on self and self-accomplishment.
Believers are not to allow themselves to be filled with pride. God hates pride because it is all about self and not others. Everything God did was done for others. He created the earth and all that is in it to provide for humans so that they could live and have fellowship with Him. Jesus died on the cross to pay for the sins of everyone else.
Rather than be filled with pride, believers are to be humble. They are to recognize that they cannot do it on their own and need help. They must also recognize that it is not all about self, but about God and His kingdom.
As a believer recognizes these things and lives accordingly, God has grace for that person. He pours out His Holy Spirit to give strength and favor to accomplish what needs to be done.
It is easy for you to become proud of your accomplishments and abilities. Living in this world you will be tempted to be filled with the same pride the world has. Take your eyes off of yourself and put them upon God. Know that it is only because of Him that you are able to do anything at all. He is the One who created you and gave you your abilities.
You are highly valuable, but not in yourself, but because of Jesus. Humble yourself before God and allow Him to pour out His grace upon you more and more.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that God will reveal areas of pride in your life; that God will guide you in being humble before Him; and that you will know the grace God has made available for you.
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This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Insights from Tom
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