◄ What Does James 4:6 Mean? ►

James desires to get some important truths across to his fellow-Christians. He seeks to warn us against favouritism, to remind us of the dangers of an unruly tongue, to encourage us to seek wisdom from the Lord, and to avoid the devastating danger of pride which manifests itself in covetous cravings and evil desires. He exhorts us to remember that Scripture teaches that the indwelling Spirit of God yearns over each of us with a godly jealousy that desires that we walk in spirit and truth and live humbly before our God.

Pride is an attribute about which the Bible has much to say. With pride comes destruction, dishonour, and wickedness. Indeed, Proverbs tells us: "Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord." Satan himself, we are told in Ezekiel, had a proud heart because of his beauty. His pride most certainly contributed to his fall from grace and expulsion from heaven. In contrast, with humility comes honour, grace, and gentleness. Let us learn from Jesus when He says, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

From the beginning of Genesis to the final Revelation of Jesus Christ, we discover that God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble. He resists the arrogant but gives grace to those that are lowly of heart. Since all the evils of the world are conceived and birthed through the corruption of our own hearts and the lusts of our own flesh, James reminds us that God gives us grace and even greater grace, but also urges us not to abuse His mercies by imitating the ways of the world,which is at enmity with God, but rather to walk in spirit and truth. We are to exhibit genuine mercy and deep humility of heart, knowing that the Lord bestows His grace generously to those that are humble of heart.

Knowing that grace is given to the humble, we should earnestly seek after the precious fruit of the Spirit which will only develop and grow in the one that recognises that every manifestation of sin is rooted in a proud and arrogant heart: "But He gives greater grace. Therefore, He says, 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to those that are poor in spirit and humble of heart.'"

Loving Father, thank You for the great grace that You show to me every day of my life. I pray that I would heed Your serious warnings against prideful boastings and not yield to any ungodly ways. Rather, may I come to You on bended knee with a broken and contrite heart. In Jesus' name, AMEN.