James 4 - Pride Goes Before a Fall.

 

James 4, Pride Goes Before a Fall.

 

The Bible consistently warns against pride. “God resists the proud,” writes James. Pride brings shame, strife, and foolishness. (Prov. 11:2; 13:10; 14:3). Proud people are an “abomination” for “pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Prov. 16:5,18).

Pride hurts one’s relationship with God because proud people think they don’t need Him. Pride hurts one’s relationships with others because proud people are self-centered and feel superior. Pride makes people blind to their own sinfulness. God opposes the proud, for their pride is sinful and He knows their danger to themselves and others.

The antidote to pride is a good dose of humility. Sometimes proud people are humbled through circumstances or even tragedy. When God gets their attention, He offers them grace. Humility is not weakness; instead, it is the willingness to “submit to God.” When we humble ourselves before Him, He promises to lift us up.

Judging.

Discipline is necessary for those in the fellowship who are involved in destructive sin. But when believers judge one another, they act against God’s law. Individuals who readily take God’s judgment into their own hands, often over minor issues, cause hurt and division. Jesus said, “judge not, that you be not judged.” (Matt. 7:1) Instead of a critical spirit, we should show understanding, compassion, and love.

The whole understanding of this is to Love others as God would have us love one another without pride and without judgments.

 

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