The message from the world and its ‘prince’ is in stark contrast to the message of the Word of God. The prince of the world, that is satan, says ‘be proud, be who you are, and think highly of yourself! Whereas the Bible shows us clearly that the complete opposite is to be desired. In the book of James, chapter 4 verse 6, it says quoting what is written in Proverbs 3 verse 34 “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Grace is defined as underserved favour, poured out to those who admit their need and submit to God and His Will. Pride is rebellion and leads to conflict with God’s authority and refusal in submitting to him. True freedom for our lives comes only when we recognise who we are before God and in return His Spirit and grace more than suffice. Pride and rebellion against God is what got satan kicked out of heaven, and if satan managed to deceive a third of the angels, he most certainly can convince most of the world.
Jesus is the complete opposite and is our model for humility. Everything Jesus did was out of ‘humility’ and ‘servanthood.’ As Christians, we should be looking to ask, “how can we help?”- “how can I look to serve you today?” Marriages will be transformed when both spouses adopt this attitude of putting each other above themselves and their own interests. Churches too become a place that is in stark difference to the outside world when they encounter a ‘place’ of humility, kindness and love.
God’s wisdom is found in Jesus. It is pride that stops us coming to Jesus and following Him fully. This is why, in coming to Him daily in prayer, admits our dependence upon Him and that the Church is His. Isaiah 57 verse 15 says:-
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,
who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
“I dwell in the high and holy place,
and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly,
and to revive the heart of the contrite.
May we adopt this daily position of a submissive heart before our Great Shepherd. And we can then truly rest in that truth and know that we do not have to strive to become someone we are not.
