Humble Yourself by Making War on Pride

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Today, we are going to delve into a topic that is vital for our spiritual growth and relationship with God: humility. Our focus will be on understanding how to humble ourselves by waging war against pride. Let us begin by turning to the Word of God in James 4:6-10.

Scripture Reading: James 4:6-10 (NIV)

“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

The Nature of Pride

Pride is an insidious sin that often goes unnoticed in our lives. It manifests in various forms, such as arrogance, self-righteousness, and a lack of dependence on God. The Bible is clear about God’s stance on pride: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble” (James 4:6). When we allow pride to take root in our hearts, we set ourselves against God, and this is a dangerous place to be.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Pride

To wage war against pride, we must first recognize its symptoms in our lives. Pride can be seen in our unwillingness to admit wrongs, our tendency to judge others harshly, and our desire for recognition and praise. It can also appear in more subtle ways, such as refusing to seek help when needed or relying solely on our own strength and wisdom.

The Call to Humility

James 4:10 tells us to “humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” Humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less. It is about acknowledging our dependence on God and recognizing that every good thing we have comes from Him. Humility involves submitting to God’s will, confessing our sins, and seeking His guidance in all things.

Strategies for Waging War on Pride

1. Prayer and Repentance: Regularly seek God’s forgiveness for areas where pride has taken hold. Ask Him to reveal hidden pride and to grant you the grace to overcome it.
2. Cultivate a Heart of Gratitude: By thanking God for His blessings and acknowledging His sovereignty, we remind ourselves of our dependence on Him.
3. Serve Others: Serving others helps to shift our focus from ourselves to the needs of those around us. Jesus Himself said, “The greatest among you will be your servant” (Matthew 23:11).
4. Embrace Accountability: Surround yourself with fellow believers who can lovingly point out areas of pride and encourage you to grow in humility.
5. Study and Meditate on Scripture: The Word of God is a powerful tool in combating pride. Meditate on passages that emphasize humility and the character of Christ.

The Reward of Humility

James 4:10 promises that when we humble ourselves before the Lord, He will lift us up. God exalts those who humble themselves, just as He exalted Christ, who “humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8). When we choose humility, we open the door to God’s grace, favor, and blessings in our lives.

Brothers and sisters, let us make a conscious decision today to humble ourselves by waging war on pride. Let us submit to God, resist the devil, and draw near to Him. As we do so, we will experience the abundant grace and lifting up that only He can provide. May we always remember that true greatness in the kingdom of God is found in humility and servanthood. Amen.