January 29, 2021
“God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” - James 4:6
Have you ever received a lesson in humility? During my first year of ministry, the Lord taught me a life changing lesson that, to this day, influences my ministerial and personal philosophy. You see, I was becoming more and more active in the church that I was serving in. I started teaching adult Sunday school, and the class was filled to capacity. I was working with the youth, and they were getting inspired about God and experiencing the fullness of the Spirit. Churches and ministries were calling me to minister, and so my preaching itinerary was filling up. It was good. In fact, it was such a good time in my life, I started to believe that I was the MAN! That’s right. I finally arrived. There was no need for me to press into prayer as much. My devotional time with the Lord began to decrease because, I was the MAN!
One Friday evening, I came home from a youth meeting, and I was so proud of myself. I preached a great word, and several students gave their hearts to the Lord. I couldn’t believe how awesome I was. As I prepared to go to sleep, I remember thinking how blessed the church was to have me on staff. I slept like a baby that night. Early the next morning, I woke up with the Holy Spirit convicting me of my pride. Instead of receiving the rebuke, I began to argue with the Lord, stating that He should be proud of me. After all, look how well I’m doing in ministry. I am making His name great. I am preaching. I am teaching. I am serving. I, I, I, I, I!!! It was all about me.
Pride is a dangerous thing. It is like a subtle narcotic that can quickly and negatively impact your life. There is nothing worse than having an overdose of self. That morning, the Holy Spirit convicted me of having a “god” complex. I was beginning to believe the seductive lie that I can do ministry without His assistance. After all, God empowered me to do great and mighty things, right? Greater works than these will I do. Isn’t that what Jesus said? Right? I remember getting out of the bed, still arguing with the Lord, and I stubbed my little toe on the side of the bed frame. I immediately started to jump up and down, trying to hold my foot. I fell backwards onto the bed, and I am almost sure that there was a little tear sliding down the side of my face. As I am trying to recover from the pain, I heard a little voice in my heart say, “Some “god” you are. Do you really think you can make it in this life without me? You can’t even get out of bed without my help.”
In James 4:6, it states: “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” That word “opposed” in the Greek, is defined as being “the opposite of”, or “to be against something”. In other words, God is the opponent of anyone who is full of pride. God becomes your enemy. God will fight against you. Pride pits God against your life, your finances, your agenda, your ministry, your vision, and your dreams. Being filled with pride is the quickest way to have God leave your team, and become your opponent. Here is the truth: I cannot live this life without Jesus in it. I am a failure without the success of the Lord in my life. I will fail in ministry. I will fail as a husband. I will fail as a father. I will fail as a friend...if Jesus is not on my side. Don’t you dare try to believe that you can get out of bed in the morning without the Lord’s help. Be careful of the spiritual narcotic called pride. It will destroy your life.
Be careful of the spiritual narcotic called pride.
Now that’s Good Word!
