Choosing Humility vs. Pride

A man thinks his wife is losing her hearing. A doctor suggests that he try a simple at-home test: Stand behind her, ask her a question from different distances, and see when she can hear it. The man goes home, sees his wife in the kitchen facing the stove, and asks from the door, “What’s for dinner tonight?” No answer. Ten feet behind her, he repeats, “What’s for dinner tonight?” Still no answer. Finally, right behind her he says, “What’s for dinner tonight?” His wife turns around and says, “For the third time—chicken.”Jesus taught us to look at our own shortcomings before we blame others.

I. Choosing pride leads to...

A. A warring nature

Internally

Externally

James 4:1-2 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction,and a haughty spirit before a fall

B. Wrong desires

James 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Galatians 5:16 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

C. Worldly friendships

James 4:4 “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

Proverbs 1:10 “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.”

Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Humility can refer to a state of being—generally lowness in status rank or economic means. In this sense, humility is the opposite of importance or wealth. It can also refer to a virtue that involves a modest self-perception. In this sense, it is the opposite of pride and arrogance.

A May 2014 poll conducted by YouGov found that only 4 percent of Americans think they are less intelligent than the average person. Most (55 percent) think that they are smarter than average. The poll also found that wealthier respondents were more likely to think that Americans in general are unintelligent.Since 49 percent of Americans are actually less intelligent than the average, this would indicate that many people are guilty of ignoring Paul’s admonition to not think more highly of ourselves than we really are. These results seem to show that humility may be a missing ingredient in modern American life.

II. Choosing humility leads to...

A. Abundant grace

James 4:6 “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.””

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

B. A spiritual defense

James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Ephesians 6:10–20 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

C. Godly friendships

James 4:8 “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

Proverbs 18:24 “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

D. Endurance in the face of adversity

James 4:8-9 Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.”

Romans 5:3-4 “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,”