What Do You Want - Resistance/Opposition or Grace From God?

Dear  Saints,

Humility is the best Cloth to wear. It is said that if you can describe how humble you are to people, you are probably not humble.

Humility is the opposite of pride. Pride is the original number one sin against God and people. The best way to recognize humility and live humbly is to understand pride. To know and recognize the true dollar bill you must study and know fake counterfeit dollar.

Pride got Lucifer (aka Satan) in trouble with God. Pride says I can be equal and even better than God; and do my own thing. Pride actually says that God does not have as much power and authority He claims to have. Pride is idolatry, the worship of anything less than the true God - the maker of heaven and earth and all humans.

You know we all have some air of arrogance, that is pride. We often compare ourselves to others and often conclude “I am better than him or her”. God hates pride. God calls pride an “abomination.” Proverbs 6:16-17. Also “pride goeth before destruction, a haughty spirit before fall” Proverbs 16:18.

Last week we saw Peter admonishing the “elders” to feed the flock of God. This time he is speaking to the “younger” and to all of us to be humble. Let’s hear Peter:

“Likewise, you younger men [of lesser rank and experience], be subject to your elders [seek their counsel]; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another [tie on the servant’s apron], for God is opposed to the proud [the disdainful, the presumptuous, and He defeats them], but He gives grace to the humble.

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time, 7 casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].” 1 Peter 5:5-7(AMP).

Younger people are more prone to pride because of less years of experience. Peter is now an elder and has learned his lessons. Remember when he said he would never deny Jesus? Of course, he did because he was full of himself instead full of the Holy Spirit. Oh yes, I have been there many times with Peter with that air of “self-righteous pride.”

Peter felt he was better than the other disciples when he was younger. It’s a mindset of better than others and I can do it on my own. No, you can’t. In fact, God will make sure you fail. “God resists, opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Which do you want – opposition or grace from God? Oh friend, I want God on my side, his abundant favor and grace; not His opposition.

The younger are encouraged to seek the counsel of the elders. It takes humility to seek counsel. We all must practice asking for wisdom and counsel from God and others more experienced and full of the Holy Spirit. See Proverbs 19:20 and James 1:5.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3. We owe each our humility by putting on our “servant’s apron” to serve each other.

Humility is a heart of service. Humility is not self-hate or being a door mat for all to abuse and step on without respect. Humility brings us to pray, but pride makes us not pray. Your lack of prayer may be an indication of your pride level. I’m just thinking aloud and also speaking to myself.

We are to “cast all cares” to God. The word “cast” requires effort and determination. It’s not a casual letting down. We are to throw our cares and anxieties with full force and let them crash at the feet of Jesus and never pick them up again.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-6.

Do you want peace? Then humble yourself and pray to the Prince of Peace, who will grant you peace. You experience peace instantly as you pray, not after you get the result. “He cares for you,” so relax and enjoy God’s peace right now. Pride can manifest when we pray with an entitlement mentality as if God owes us. We must pray in humility otherwise we cannot receive from God.

What are your present anxieties? Let us pray. Dear Lord, I cast all my anxieties about my children, health and welfare, unsaved loved ones, friends, and enemies to you. I refuse to take back my anxieties and give them all to you. Lord, please forgive me of my past pride and grant me your mercy and grace with the fullness of joy. Amen.

If you have never humbled yourself or repented to ask Jesus Christ to forgive your sins and be your Lord and Savior, this is the time. Please do so now, for Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of your sins. He was buried and rose again to secure your salvation forever. Ask Jesus to fill you with His Holy Spirit. Now you are a child of God, born again by the Holy Spirit.

Pride is the only thing that will keep you on the journey to hell, for we all have sinned against God. Let us humble ourselves, repent, and turn to a right relationship with God. Amen.