“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” James 4:6 (ESV)
How many times have you heard or read that scripture? Whether it was in a congregation, in a family situation, or with friends, the odds are you have heard it enough to pay barely any attention to it. If you had paid any attention, I bet it was nothing more than a nod of your head and some mental assent, maybe even a “Yes, Amen.”
Recently, while studying to deliver a sermon in our congregation, I came across the actual original meaning in Greek for the word “opposes” or in some translations “resists”. To say that it rocked my world would be an understatement. Apparently, it’s original meaning is far more active than most of us would believe. The root meaning of the word “opposes” in Greek is that the Lord dresses in battle array to go to war. In other words, if you are proud or display pride of any type, the Lord not only opposes you with a mental assent of opposition but he actively opposes you. He dresses himself for battle and goes to war.
I would suggest you think about that thought for a few minutes.
I can think of the obvious prides:
- I don’t need God
- I don’t want God’s help
- I don’t want your help
- I can do it alone
- I am too wealthy or powerful to consider doing such a low position
- And so on
What about the types of pride that aren’t talked about as much:
- I have to do it or it won’t get done (only the Holy Spirit can say that)
- My pastor or rabbi is the best in his field (can’t objectively be proven, by the way – ever – in any field)
- Second guessing God- “are you really sure God” (Can be said only if you are smarter than God)
- Afraid to ask for help from God (fear-pride)
- Afraid to ask for help from others (fear-pride)
- Unwilling to be accountable to others (pride and arrogance)
- The list is endless
Just imagine, in each of the above types of pride listed as well as all the others not listed, God not only opposes the pride, He dresses himself in battle to go to war with it and destroy it. Any guess on who wins?
