“But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:
‘God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble’.”
But gives grace to the humble’
The word “humble” signifies low-lying. The idea is humble in spirit but not servility in attitude. The idea here is not a discouraged person who lacks hope, a dejected, downhearted, and downcast person. However, this term does convey someone who is unpretentious.
Mt 11:29-30, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
2 Co 10:1, “Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ— who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.”
1 Pe 5:5, “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.’”
PRINCIPLE:
Humility is the cause of righteousness.
APPLICATION:
If pride is the source of all sin, humility is at the core of all righteousness. The one characteristic of a humble person is dependence on God.
Matt. 23:12, “And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Humility always confesses its true condition before God and rests on the grace of God. A humble believer depends on God daily. He knows that he is not sufficient of himself to live a spiritual life.
Rom. 12:16, “Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.”
God’s grace will deliver the humble but not the arrogant believer. God’s grace cannot help the proud person because he does not know his own needs. He is self-sufficient. His pride cherishes independence from God. He is beholden to no man. He is not open to help from others and has difficulty in asking help from others.
This kind of person puts himself outside God’s grace because he cannot depend on God. Grace is God’s provision for us.
