Most believers can quote the verse that says “God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble” (James 4:6). What is interesting is that many people like to pick and choose verses out of the Bible, then use it ignoring the context of this verse. Now, let’s read another version of the same verse ” In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (1 Peter 5:5-6). My brother, my sister, always look what God is saying in its entirety, not just what we want to hear. You see, younger ones refusing to submit to elders are being proud before the Lord: how many young people ignore that, but don’t understand when they are asking the Lord to lift them up and nothing happens? Being proud is not only about boasting, my friends… and when we look at today’s verse in the book of Isaiah, we learn that pride had made Israel think they would recover and rebuild in their own strength. Even though God had made the people of Israel a nation and given them the land they now occupied, they ended up putting their trust in themselves rather than in Him. Yes, too often, we too take pride in our accomplishments, forgetting that it is God who has given us our resources and abilities. We may even become proud of our status as Christians, forgetting that it is God who called us “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day” (John 6:44). So, why would any of us be judgmental about those who have not yet accepted Christ? My friends, God is not pleased with ANY pride or trust in ourselves because it cuts off our contact with Him, just like sin. Today, search within yourself, and see if any grain of proud has sneaked into your heart in any area of your life, then ask the Spirit of God to help you get rid of it. Stay blessed in Jesus’ name.
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