Fwd: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble

Humility is the ability to be without pride or arrogance and it is a principal character that should be seen in those who follow Jesus Christ.

Scriptures define humility as “the fear of the Lord”  Proverbs 22:4.

The root word in Latin is “Humus” meaning “of the earth”.   To be humble is to be prostrate, face down in the dirt, submitting to the authority of another, without personal pride.   Thus for the Christian, one who follows Jesus Christ, we should be prostrate and humbled before Him, our Creator.

The book of Proverbs is filled with warnings of those who refuse to be humble. The New Testament emphasizes rich blessings for those who put others before themselves. You will miss out on the blessed, abundant life that God wants for you, if you refuse to let go of pride and follow His purpose in your life.

King Uzziah in 2 Chronicles 26:16 shares the biblical account of a King who became prideful.  Uzziah entered the temple to burn incense before the LORD, a practice which God had reserved strictly for the priests.  He disobeyed the law of the Lord, and decided himself that his greatness had earned his right to do so.  When the priests confronted the king about his prideful mistake, Uzziah became furious, and God struck him with leprosy.

King Uzziah remained a leper for the rest of his life and lived in an isolated house until his death.

Those who are prideful, will fall.  Matthew 23:12

“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled,  and those who humble themselves  will be exalted.”

Psalm 147:6 “The LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.”

The additional accounts of the Kings in the scriptures who ruled Israel and Judah, we see that one of the major factors that determined their success or failure was whether they displayed pride, or humility.  God blessed kings when they cried out for His help, and trusted Him.  But, when they became so confident in their own ability that they led without the Lord’s counsel, destruction came upon them.

Pride, promotes self; what’s best for ME.

Pride looks down on others and says, “I know I’m right”.

Pride rebels against authority.

Pride rejects counsel.

Pride is quick to speak.

Humility considers others and what is best for others, humility brings us to our knees, and lets God do the elevating.

Humility looks out for others and says, “I could be wrong”.

Humility submits to authority.

Humility is willing to yield.

Humility is quick to listen.

By nature human beings are prideful, but we can walk in humility with God’s help.

The word humble is found over 80 times in Scripture…but here are just a few scriptures to share:

Ephesians 4:2 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

James 4:6 “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble“

1 Peter 5:5 “In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble.“

2 Chronicles 7:14  “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Luke 14:11 “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.“

Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Colossians 3:12 “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Nothing pleases the Lord more than a humble heart. He leads the humble, teaching them His way.“

How do we humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord?

    *    Place God at the highest place.  Let His word, lead us to the way everlasting.  Matthew 6:33 “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”

    *    Be thankful always.  Being thankful to God every second of every day, prevents pride from growing.  Practicing gratitude includes a stature of humility. They are intertwined together. Gratitude fuels humility and vice versa.  Colossians 3:16 “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.“

    *    Pray.  When we are accountable to God, He gives us the strength, wisdom and guidance to sail through this life.  1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.“ 

    *    Trust Him.  Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and He will direct your path.“

    *    Serve others  When we serve, we look outside of ourself, beyond our own problems, and glorify God.  Serving others is what Jesus asks of us as Christians. By God’s grace we are set apart from the world.  Jesus came not to be served, but to serve, Matthew 20:28.

Philippians 2:3,4 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves“.  John 12:26 “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.“

    *    Follow Jesus.  Be ready to accept ridicule and humiliation being a follower of Jesus.  Luke 9:26 “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”

    *    Be still and know...Psalm 46:10  Find quiet time to acknowledge God, our creator, and know who you are, and whose you are.

Humble yourselves in the sight of the LORD.

Humble yourselves in the sight of the LORD.

And HE, will LIFT, you UP.

And HE, will LIFT, you UP.

Jesus is the Son of God.

Jesus is the Son of God,

and He, He died, for us.

and He, He died, for us.

Amazing Grace how sweet the sound.

Amazing Grace how sweet the sound.

That saved, a wretch, like me.

That saved, a wretch, like me.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining, as the sun.

Bright shining, as the sun.

You are Lord of Creation and Lord of my life

Lord of the land and the sea,

You were Lord of the heavens

Before there was time,

And Lord of all Lords you will be!

We bow down,

And we worship you Lord

We bow down,

And we worship you Lord,

We bow down,

And we worship you Lord,

Lord of all Lords you will be!

You are King of creation

And King of my life,

King of the land and the sea,

You were King of the Heavens

Before there was time,

King of all Kings You will be!

The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:1-5

    “But mark this:  

When we hear or see the word – Pride –  anywhere and everywhere these days, may we deflect and focus ALL of our thoughts to that of Jesus Christ & His humble sacrifice of Love for all of mankind. He bore it all, for us.

The apostle Paul shared in Philippians chapter 2 that we should imitate Christ’s humility.   verses 10-11.

“that at the name of Jesus 

to the glory of God the Father.“

This is not at all about us or what we individually think or feel about things. It’s not about squelching an agenda, or what the world says about this or that.

God looks at the heart and knows each and every detail of our thoughts, and he knows each and every detail about the perilous times that we are in.  His love for us is wider and deeper than we can fathom, Ephesians 3:18.  He loves all of mankind, but without having a humble heart of repentance, obedience and following his Son Jesus Christ, the scriptures are clear, there will be no hope for eternal life.

Revelation 19:1

“After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: 

 for true and just are his judgements.”

Is there anything that we have placed higher or ahead of God in our lives?

We need to lay down our agendas and our prideful idols, and pursue Him who brings true life.  For there will be a day,  where every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.  That means every knee.

Whom do we follow?  The world, or the Creator of the World.

God wants all to be saved, so we need to keep on keeping on and continue to hold out the good news and the saving message of Jesus Christ to the world.

To God be the Glory forever, through Jesus Christ.

Bruce & Paula