He Resists the Proud

He Resists the Proud. James continues to picture the things God loves and the things God hates in chapter 4. "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:

“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:6, NKJV

He Resists the Proud. James continues to picture the things God loves and the things God hates in chapter 4. "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

As we consider James 4:6 we are given a glimpse into the very nature of God. In our culture, we look on the outside. Is the person rich, powerful, beautiful, or famous? These are the things we value, but this is not what God values. The Bible is rich with verses on the theme of humility, pride, and grace. We will look at four of these Bible passages.

He Resists the Proud - Psalm 138:6

Though the Lord is on high,
Yet He regards the lowly;
But the proud He knows from afar.

Psalm 138:6, NKJV

Psalm 138, a Psalm of David, is filled with thanksgiving to God. David, a man after God's own heart, had an intimate relationship with God. He understood that God did not look upon the outward appearance. God was not impressed with royalty or riches.

He states in verses 4 and 5 of this same Psalm, "All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O LORD, for they have heard the words of your mouth, and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD."

That is his preface to Psalm 138:6. Indeed, God dwells on high and continually looks down upon all people. Though we may be like ants to Him, yet He even knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts. What an amazing God!

Unlike us, God "regards the lowly, but the proud He knows from afar."

What does that mean? As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we have the opportunity to, like David, have an intimate relationship with God Himself. God regards the lowly--He has an personal relationship with them, but the proud He only knows from afar. In other words, God resists the proud!

He Resists the Proud - Proverbs 3:34

Surely He scorns the scornful,

But gives grace to the humble.

Proverbs 3:34, NKJV

The book of Proverbs is filled with wonderful nuggets of truth. If one were to read a chapter a day for the rest of their lives they could never plumb its depths. Such is Proverbs 3:34.

Surely "He [God] scorns the scornful but gives grace to the humble."

I am writing this devotional in June of 2020. The coronavirus, COVID-19, is still raging across the land, though it is continuing to decline at this time. People are on edge from being in isolation for so long, so the country is ripe for dissension, and it is no surprise that a rebellion has occurred over the death of a black man by a white police officer.

We understand scorn! Scorn for policemen or any authority. Does God see? Does God hear the scorn? Yes! Solomon states that God not only hears the scornful, but He gives grace to the humble.

As believers do we join the crowd of scorners or do we wear the mantle of humility? We must all search our very hearts to see if we truly align ourselves with God's Word!

He Resists the Proud - Matthew 23:9-12

9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. 11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Matthew 23:9-12, NKJV

Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, did not come to this earth in an exalted state. He was born of lowly parents and laid in a manger. Angels announced His birth and shepherds came to see Him. But where were the great people of the world?

When we read Matthew 23, we are coming to the close of Jesus' ministry on this earth. He opposed the haughtiness and pride of the Pharisees, but ministered to the lowly on this earth. He called sinners to repentance.

In verse 12, shown above, He states, "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

What does He mean? When we humble ourselves before the Lord Jesus Christ, admitting our sin and unworthiness before God, and crying out for Him to save us, He does exactly that. In our new born-again state, we now have access to God Himself. Not only are we exalted before God but we will be exalted before Him forever. After we leave this earth, we will be in the arms of the Lord Jesus Christ forever! Now that is true exaltation!

He Resists the Proud - 1 Peter 5:5-7

5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of yoube submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for

“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:5-7, NKJV

Peter joins James in saying, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

In verse 5, he calls us to submit ourselves to our elders and be clothed in humility. This verse would certainly be considered politically incorrect in our culture today. Instead of submission to our elders and those in authority, we seek to through off all authority over us as soon as we can.

That attitude has caused a state of chaos and insurrection in our county. Where is God in all of this? Does God see? Oh, yes!!

God calls believers to humble themselves under the mighty hand of God . . . casting all our care upon Him, for He cares for us.

God knows and loves His people. In the middle of chaos, we can have peace for we know that God cares for us. We know that He will exalt us as children of the King. That exaltation may not come until the end of this life, but when it comes, it will last for all eternity.

He Resists the Proud - Conclusion

Go to God today; submit yourselves under His almighty hand. Though we may live contrary to the norms of this society, we must be faithful to our dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

When He lived on this earth, Jesus did not exalt Himself. He continually gave glory and praise to God the Father. By the grace of God, may we live as Jesus did. May we humble ourselves and seek to please Christ. In our heart of hearts, let us live for the glory of God and not the glory of man!

God Bless You,

Linda