Commit to Memory: “…God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6 ESV).
Beloved, man that is proud has precisely two battles to face. The first battle is the devil and the second is the Lord of Host himself as portrayed in today’s commit to memory. So we see that simultaneously the devil and the Lord will be fighting for the downfall of such a fellow who is proud. “God opposes” means he resist or he is against and sends judgment to those who are full of pride. Why? Any time God spots a man who delights in the praise of men and wants to take His place as Lord in the lives of others- He becomes an enemy to such a fellow by default (James 4:4). See what God said in Proverbs 8:13 ESV
“…Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate”.
Friends, Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips says Proverbs 27:2 ESV. Are you assuming on your strength? Are you getting elated because of the people that honour and answer to you? Are you so full of yourself that no one can rebuke you? Has the paraphernalia of ministry turned you into something else? Watch it and be humble.
Pride is a sin that any time God sees a man that exhibits it- He begins to oppose such a fellow. Why? Pride makes a man self-centered rather than God-centered. Do you often find yourself inordinately proud of what you have accomplished and who you are like the rich fool who was attributing his wealth and all he had to his sweat, labour and connections? The Bible says the Lord required his soul that same moment. Why? Pride goeth before a fall. He ended up loosing everything, his life and then eternity. What a loss pride could bring. Does this storyline captures your personality and experience? Repent today and wear humility as a garment.
Reflection: If God must be, for and with you at all times, pride must be alien and humility embraced in your life.
Prayer Lines
•Father, let every pride in me be nailed to the cross.
•Father, consume by fire every seed of pride growing in my life.