{"id":476,"date":"2023-04-24T19:07:13","date_gmt":"2023-04-24T19:07:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bibleholyghost.com\/?p=476"},"modified":"2023-04-24T19:07:14","modified_gmt":"2023-04-24T19:07:14","slug":"understanding-pride-and-humility-in-the-eyes-of-god","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bibleholyghost.com\/index.php\/2023\/04\/24\/understanding-pride-and-humility-in-the-eyes-of-god\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Pride and Humility in the Eyes of God"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Humility reconciles us to God.&nbsp; Because of humility, we see that we cannot save ourselves in our strength, perfection, or good works.&nbsp; We need humility to receive God\u2019s saving grace and mercy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you are humble you acknowledge the truth about yourself instead of judging and criticizing others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cHumble yourselves under the mighty hand of God!\u201d<\/em>&nbsp; <strong>1 Peter 5:6.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">God desires that we have a humble mindset and a desire and need to do His will and tremble at His word.&nbsp; We are not to be rich and satisfied with ourselves.&nbsp; That is pride and stops God from doing a transforming work in our lives, rather we are to be humble and lowly of heart.&nbsp; Then God will regard us the grace we need to make true progress in our Christian lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c<strong>The proud<\/strong>\u201d is not being proud of yourself, your achievements, or your strengths.&nbsp; These are God-given gifts; He wants you to utilize them and carry them out in works and service.&nbsp; Not to boast, but to use to honor Him in everything you do.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead, God speaks to the prideful, the arrogant, and the one who feels they can live without Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;<strong>James 4:6 says,<\/strong> \u201cGod resists the proud.\u201d&nbsp; You may think,\u201d I am not proud.\u201d But that is exactly what you are when you don\u2019t receive grace.&nbsp; God gives grace to the humble\u2026&#8230; always.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c<em>God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.&nbsp; Therefore, submit to God.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Resist the devil and he will flee from you.&nbsp; Draw near to God and he will draw near to you\u2026. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will lift you.\u201d&nbsp; <strong>James 4:6-8,10<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>Humility in the role of Christians means holding loosely to the need to be right.&nbsp; It enables us to not take success or failure too seriously.&nbsp; It means that we\u2019re able to learn from criticism instead of responding with a critical spirit.&nbsp; It helps us to lose obsession and instead, learn to have healthy self-awareness.&nbsp; When we face trials, humility preserves peace in our souls.&nbsp; We don\u2019t have to wonder how we are going to handle this trial because we know that God is God, and we are not.&nbsp; He holds our past, present, and future in his hands.&nbsp; When we humble ourselves before Him, we recognize that He holds the answers to our questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bibleholyghost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/10-jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-468\" width=\"340\" height=\"255\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bibleholyghost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/10-jpg.webp 259w, https:\/\/bibleholyghost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/10-150x112.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 340px) 100vw, 340px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In His time, we humbly wait, we grow in Him.&nbsp; The greatest promises of God are toward the humble.&nbsp;&nbsp; He promises to sustain us in <strong>Psalm 147:6.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He revives our spirits Isaiah 57:15 soon he looks on the humble with favor <strong>Isaiah 66:2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are seven forces that work against humility<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" type=\"1\">\n<li><strong>Our Ego<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We are born self-centered and, unless something intervenes (like a spanking or discipline or instruction), we grow up full of ourselves, thinking the world revolves around us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Our successes<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No one wants to fail.&nbsp; Everyone wants to succeed in life.&nbsp; And yet we learn far more from our failures than from our successes and accomplishments.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Our underlings<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our groupies, our fans, our employees, our admirers call them what you please.&nbsp; Sycophants.&nbsp; Many of these attempts to curry favor using us for their purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Our forgetfulness<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">God sent us failure and humbled us, but we quickly forgot the lesson and soon were back to speed with our ego running the show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Our enemy, Satan himself<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jesus told Peter that the devil wanted to sift him like wheat.&nbsp; <strong>Matthew 16:18,<\/strong> we get a picture of Peter being turned into sand.&nbsp; Satan is forever trying that approach with us today, in two primary ways:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>By running us down<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Destroying our confidence and faith<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>And puffing us up, making us believe in our self-sufficiency.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Our blindness<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When we look into the mirror, we do not see the \u201ctruth\u201d but we see what we want to see.&nbsp; Even without successes to puff us up, we still find ourselves carrying inflated ideas of who we are.&nbsp; Where does this come from?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We are turning blind eyes toward reality.&nbsp; The Old Testaments prophets and our Lord Jesus spoke of those who have eyes but will not see <strong>Matthew 13:13<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Flattery<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou are so wonderful.\u201d \u201cYou are the best pastor we\u2019ve ever had.\u201d I read everything you write.\u201d Etc are some of the flattery words we are all aware of and have come across.&nbsp; The ugliest trait in all the world -bar none, no debate about it is conceit.&nbsp; An actor can take home more Oscars than anyone in movie history and adorn the covers of all the fan mags and we are fine with that.&nbsp; Few things adorn accomplishment like humility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Why this is an important topic?&nbsp; Why is God wanting us to focus on humility?&nbsp; Here are some reasons God\u2019s word identifies our being humble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" type=\"1\">\n<li><strong><u>That He may exalt us in due time<\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.&nbsp; <strong>1 Peter 5:6<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><u>So that we may learn. Only the humble are teachable<\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTake my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart.\u201d&nbsp; <strong>Matthew 11:29<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><u>That God can use us in his service.&nbsp; He cannot use the prideful<\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart.&nbsp; These, O God, you will not despise.\u201d&nbsp; <strong>Psalm 51: 17<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><u>To receive more grace<\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe gives more grace.&nbsp; Therefore, he says, \u201cGod resists the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.\u201d&nbsp; <strong>James 4: 6<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><u>To enter his presence<\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThus, says the High and Lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: \u201cI dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit.\u201d&nbsp; <strong>Isaiah 57:15<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><u>To be saved and enter the kingdom<\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cUnless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.&nbsp; Whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.\u201d<strong>&nbsp; Matthew 18: 3-4<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><u>That our prayers may be heard<\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe does not forget the cry of the humble.\u201d&nbsp; <strong>Psalm 9:12<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><u>Ways to Humble yourself according to the bible<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" type=\"1\">\n<li><strong><em>Recognize one\u2019s sinfulness before the Holy God<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The key is to move forward in what God has called us to do while we maintain an awareness of his holiness and might.&nbsp; We are the recipients of his power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><em>Obedience plays a part in humbling ourselves<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It teaches us that we don\u2019t always know best, but as we lean in and listen, we learn from Him.&nbsp; Sometimes he nudges, us to give up a habit or start a new one and we resist.&nbsp; But when we lean into His grace and say <strong>\u201cYes\u201d,<\/strong> we grow in our faith.&nbsp; He works in us as we depend on him to fulfill that <strong>\u201cYes.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><em>Prayer is the most powerful way to humble yourselves<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2 Chronicles 7:14 tells<\/strong> us how humbling ourselves through prayers opens the door to God moving on our behalf.&nbsp; We can pray throughout the day as well as have a specific time to pray.&nbsp; One way to bring humility alive in our hearts is to bow, kneel, or lay face down on the floor and pray.&nbsp; Lowering our physical bodies turns our hearts towards emptying one\u2019s self and laying aside our desire for glory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><em>Gentleness towards others is another way to humble ourselves<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While living this life, we will grow annoyed with people.&nbsp; In those times we can remember that God made them on purpose for a purpose just as he made you and me.&nbsp; When we live humble, with awareness, we can be gentle with others in their weakness<strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><em>Letting go of our need for prestige is another way to humble ourselves before the Lord.<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-background wp-block-paragraph\">Being first or the best tangles with the motives behind our actions.&nbsp; We strive and strain towards the top.&nbsp; We set people on pedestals because they are pretty or famous or overcomers of a tragic event.&nbsp; In doing this, we whisper to ourselves that we\u2019re not worthy of sharing our stories because we don\u2019t have a \u201cposition.\u201d&nbsp; But God says not to focus on status, but to follow him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-background wp-block-paragraph\">The human heart is a mess.&nbsp; The human animal is a rebel. As puny and flawed as we are, the fact that we accomplish a few things and then decide we can live without God is all the proof anyone should ever need of our precarious condition in this universe.&nbsp; The war to remain humble must be fought on many fronts every day of our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-background wp-block-paragraph\">Life holds troubles that vary in intensity based on the seasons of life we find ourselves in.&nbsp; God gives us wisdom and he directs our steps.&nbsp; We need to recognize our need for Him in every aspect of our lives and to come humbly to receive His grace, strength, and power for living.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thank you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Humility reconciles us to God.&nbsp; Because of humility, we see that we cannot save ourselves&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-476","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-jesus-is-god-who-loves-you"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":"","thumbnail":"","medium":"","medium_large":"","large":"","1536x1536":"","2048x2048":"","covernews-featured":"","covernews-medium":"","web-stories-poster-portrait":"","web-stories-publisher-logo":"","web-stories-thumbnail":""},"author_info":{"info":["Holy Bible"]},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/bibleholyghost.com\/index.php\/category\/jesus-is-god-who-loves-you\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Jesus is God Who Loves you.<\/a>","tag_info":"Jesus is God Who Loves you.","comment_count":"0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bibleholyghost.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/476","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bibleholyghost.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bibleholyghost.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bibleholyghost.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bibleholyghost.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=476"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/bibleholyghost.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/476\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":477,"href":"https:\/\/bibleholyghost.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/476\/revisions\/477"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bibleholyghost.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=476"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bibleholyghost.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=476"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bibleholyghost.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=476"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}