Theme: Humility

“WHAT CAUSES FIGHTS AND QUARRELS AMONG YOU…?” James 4:1

“GOD OPPOSES THE PROUD BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE…” James 4:6

Why does James describe the tongue as “untamed” and “a world of evil” in Chapter 3, and preface his call for humility in Chapter 4 with warnings against fighting, quarreling, and envy?  

Is pride really as bad as coveting worldly pleasures enough to kill for them?  Based on James 4:2, the answer is yes, but how does this all fit together?  Intrigued, I did a key-word study of James 4 and made a sobering discovery.

  

“RESIST THE DEVIL AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU” James 4:7.

One of my favorite sayings is, “Live life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning the devil says, ‘Oh, no, she’s awake!”  Wouldn’t it be great to live such Godly lives that the devil would flee from us forever?  Unfortunately, Luke 4:13 says, “When the devil had finished all this tempting [of Jesus], he left him until an opportune time.”  If Satan watched for opportune times to tempt Jesus, imagine what easy prey he considers us to be.

Word Study (from Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary):     

Proud [Gr. huperephanos] – showing oneself above others; preeminent (always negative).

Humble [Gr. tapeinos] – of low degree; brought low (always positive).

Devil [Gr. diabolos] – an accuser, a slanderer; from diaballo, meaning to malign; “A malignant enemy of God.”

When we fight and quarrel, envy and covet, accuse, slander, and malign others – either to elevate ourselves or simply in the course of mindless chatter – we give Satan (the malignant enemy of God) another opportunity to insinuate himself into our hearts, homes, churches, schools and workplace.

James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will LIFT you up [hupsoo], meaning to exalt. When we humble ourselves before God, He is our cheerleader; our loving and omnipotent exalter.   We have no reason to elevate ourselves, especially at the expense of others.

Father, if only we could undo the pain our pride has caused others, and the damage it’s done your kingdom. We beg forgiveness and thank you for defeating Satan and claiming us for your own.  Amen.   

Sandra Milholland

Abilene, Texas