James 4:8b-17

COMMENTS

In order to talk about what our Lord is showing me in today’s passage, I had to do some backtracking to Chapter 3 and earlier verses in Chapter 4.  Today’s theme is humility.  Humility is an interesting thing; and quite often, it’s misunderstood.  When I was young, I thought of humility as weakness.  The person described as being humble was often insecure and somewhat a “doormat”.  Since I was like that myself, humility wasn’t a character trait that I admired.  I once heard humility defined as “strength under control”.  Now, that’s something to aspire to.

NOTES

As I looked at the discussion of wisdom in Chapter 3:13-18, one thing that jumped out at me was James’ reference to humility:

“Who is wise and understanding among you?  Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”  (James 3:13)

Then, following the discussion about how selfishness causes fights and quarrels, James reminds me:

“That is why Scripture says:  ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”  (James 4:6)

Once again, after telling me to surrender to God, resist Satan, and grieve my sin, James’ command is to:

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” 

(James 4:10)

Everything that I’m told to do in this passage requires that I have humility if I want to succeed!  Think about it:

·        In order to live a “good life” that is pure, peaceful, considerate, merciful, etc., I must have humility, a result of Godly wisdom.  (James 3:13-18)

·        In order to set aside my own desires and avoid fights and quarrels, I must have humility.  (James 4:1-6)

·        In order to submit myself to God, resist the devil, purify my heart, and grieve my sin, I must be humble.  (James 4:7-10)

None of those things can be accomplished when I have a prideful heart.  But James continues.  In James 4:11-12, I’m told not to slander another and that when I do, I’m judging the law.  Aren’t slander and judgment results of pride?  Of setting myself above other people and even above God? 

What about boasting?  James 4:13-17 discusses the arrogance I reveal when I boast about what I’m going to do tomorrow or next month.  This one is a little tricky because, in this life, we all have to make plans.  I have a doctor appointment tomorrow, or I’m going on vacation next month.  Am I arrogant to make those plans?  I believe this has more to do with attitude.  As I make that appointment or those reservations, do I assume that, because I planned it, it will happen?  Or do I recognize and accept that God may intervene and change my plans?

Repeating my original statement, James 3:13 tells me to show my “good life” in the humble works I do.  I cannot be godly or do godly things unless I am humble.  My natural instinct is to think of myself and to want to make myself look good so that others will admire me.  I must constantly make a choice.  Do I choose pride by building myself up, or do I choose humility by putting God and others first.  I can’t do the right thing under my own strength.  The right choice requires strength under the control of the Holy Spirit.