James 4:6, “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
The older I become, I realize more and more that I need God’s grace daily. I need His power overcoming my weaknesses. He has promised in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Despite anyone’s limitations, as we humbly seek God during these times, He will provide effective pathways for solutions. Due to His grace I need to camp on that word “sufficient” rather than focusing on insults, hardships, and difficulties.
What accomplishments have you enjoyed? Those were each given as a gift to you from God due to His grace. But successes are short-lived. Oh, they are the prize or award we aim for and long to achieve. The ego gets a shot of adrenaline when a goal is achieved and reached. However, pride can move in, cause an imbalance in our attitudes, and we feel entitled to receive more attention. As “Proverbs 16:18 warns, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” “Prayerlessness is the truest indicator of pride. Watch out, you may be about to fall.” Jon Courson.
The AMP version states James 4:6 this way, “But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD and HAUGHTY, BUT [continually] GIVES [the gift of] GRACE TO THE HUMBLE [who turn away from self-righteousness].” Self-righteousness is the basis for a prideful attitude. It creates greed.
Many other versions of James 4:6 state, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
- Proverbs 3:34, “Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble, he gives favor.”
- 1 Peter 5:5, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
- James 4:10, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”
Our character needs to reflect humility in our competence. My Grandma Helmers used to say, “Let other people brag on you rather than yourself.” I am thankful for her heritage of Christian living. She would also recite 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Therefore let him who thinks he standeth take heed lest he fall” KJV. I remember that day vividly when she quoted this verse and gave it as a warning in a conversation about someone that was being discussed. I would have been in grade school at the time.
Having humility in one’s character does not mean being indecisive or not using one’s gifts and talents. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:10, “I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” Paul gave it his all, as we need to do. Commit your work and endeavors to the Lord. Commit to high excellence and high character in your career, your family, and those in your sphere of influence. Then see how God provides the results. Note God’s faithfulness in supplying all your needs. Write them down and date them.
I want to be in the correct position to finish well. Having a prestigious position of power contrasts with being a servant of Jesus Christ. Your character will put you in place to advance the kingdom of Heaven. That is our identity in being a disciple of Jesus. That puts us in a position to receive grace from humility and then to receive what Matthew 23:8 declares, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Show love, compassion, and gentleness to someone you couldn’t before. How can you use the gift of the grace God has given you – the kindness from God you received, that you didn’t deserve? Let that peace and joy fill your thoughts with your position in Christ, and then share it with someone.
Listen to I Speak Jesus (Lyric Video) Charity Gayle. Feat. Steven Musso.