By Bill Levergood, Dean of Men, Baptist Bible College, Springfield, MO
Read James 4:4-6.
I am sure that we have all heard the joke about the Christian author who was proud of his new book, “Humility and How I Obtained It.” Yes, it is hard to be humble when we know we are great. I jest, but is it really a joke?
The sin of pride seems to be at the core of every temptation that we are confronted with today.
The sin of pride seems to be at the core of every temptation that we are confronted with today. Pride will keep us flirting with the world in order to gain its approval and acceptance. This flirting comes on gradually. We begin to tell ourselves that it is okay to compromise with some things so that the world will speak well of us. We begin to conform to this world system and cultivate a friendship with the world. James, in verse four, alludes to the fact that this friendship with the world is a form of spiritual adultery and brings us into conflict with God.
If the sin of pride is not checked and dealt with, then we can find ourselves trying to do God’s work in our own way and in our own power. This pride can lead a person to become arrogant and haughty and have a demeaning spirit to those around him.
The Christian theologian William Barclay said this about pride: “Pride shuts itself off from God for three reasons: (1) it does not know its own need – it walks in proud self-sufficiency, (2) it cherishes its own independence – it does not need God, (3) it does not recognize its own sin – it does not know it needs help.”
When I was a missionary in Brazil, our family moved to the town of Pouso Alegre. This town had a population of just over 50,000, and we were the only Americans. At first, we were a novelty in town, and some people treated us like celebrities. I must admit that, at times, I enjoyed the celebrity status, but I soon realized that my motivation was misplaced. I found myself cultivating friendships based on the fact of being an American rather than making them about Jesus Christ. My pride was in the spotlight instead of my Savior.
The hardest thing I have had to face in the ministry is keeping myself out of the way and keeping the focus on Jesus. You see, pride wants to put us in the spotlight, whereas wisdom knows that that is the Lord’s place. Our Lord does not need celebrities. He wants servants.
The hardest thing I have had to face in the ministry is keeping myself out of the way and keeping the focus on Jesus.
Reflective Questions:
- Why do I do what I do? What is my motivation? Am I trying to bring honor to God or to myself?
- Am I more concerned about how others see me or how God sees me?
- Am I seeking to be a friend of this world or of God?
Memory Verse:
But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6
Prayer:
Dear God, I know I battle daily with the sin of pride. Humble me today. I know that is a scary prayer, but please, God, help me walk through this life with humility. Help me to get myself out of the way so I can focus completely on You.
Related Scriptures:
I John 2:15-16; Romans 8:7; John 15:19; Galatians 1:10; Matthew 6:24; I Corinthians 6:19; Proverbs 3:34; Psalm 138:6
