Pride Verses Humbleness
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."
James 4:6
Every Christian struggles with pride even though they are considered to be humble. Satan is always tempting us to be prideful, thinking he can make us prideful without our awareness. God considers pride as preferring self-will over God’s will. There are many things in life that are good and do not interfere with God’s will. The problem is when our self-will keeps us from doing God’s will.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24) Whatever we are doing, we always remember we are to be Christ-like because we are ambassadors for Christ. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. (2 Corinthians 5:20) If we can be aware of doing everything for Christ, it can enable us to be humble. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him. (John 8:29) Just as Jesus was always doing what pleases the Father, we strive to always do what pleases the Lord.
The closer we are to the Lord, the more we realize he saved us and intercedes for us and the more humble we become. We depend on the Lord in ministering to the world and that adds to our humbleness. I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5) Without Christ, we can do nothing; it’s Christ in us through the Spirit that guides us through life. The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you–they are full of the Spirit and life. (John 6:63) Only Christ can give us life through the Spirit, otherwise we are nothing but flesh and are spiritually dead. If we realize this in our hearts, we are thankful and humble.
The Lord gives us our identity, he brings us into his family, and fills us with his Spirit. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9) If we can be mindful of this verse then we will know who we are in Christ. We will be secure in the identity from God which can make us humble.
Everything good in our life comes from God, our salvation comes from God, and the Holy Spirit lives in us as Christ guides us through life into Heaven with the Father and the Son. This is what the Lord does for us and when realize this in our hearts, we will be humble and dependent on the Lord. If we are not dependent on the Lord, can we be humble?
Today, be humble and secure in Christ. A humble person builds up others for the glory of God because their focus is not on self, it is on God and others. Show your love for the Lord today by seeking to do everything with all your heart.
Prayer: Lord keep me humble and secure in Christ. Help me to do everything as doing it for Christ. Guide me in the Spirit to reveal Christ in everything I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen