1 Peter 5:5 - God's Relationship to Pride vs Humility.
God resisteth the proud,
and giveth grace to the humble.
1 Pet 5:5 (KJV)
Pride does not know its own need. It so admires itself that it recognizes no
need to be supplied. It cherishes its own independence. It will be beholden
to no man and not even to God. It does not recognize its own sin. It is
occupied with thinking of its own goodness and never realizes that it has
any sin from which it needs to be saved. A pride like that cannot receive
help, because it does not know that it needs help, and, therefore, it cannot
ask. [Barclay Commentary re Jam.4:6]
When we get caught up in a personal ego trip we let pride separate us from
God. Someone called ego - Easing God Out. Pride pollutes everything it
touches. It keeps us from growing spiritually. It is the basic sin causing
separation from God. It is Satan's most powerful tool. If we let pride
rule our lives we can be kept from spiritual growth after we have begun a
relationship with God. How can we overcome pride? Christ's words state the
case flatly, "And whoever exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles
himself will be exalted" (Matthew 23:12). How do we "humble ourselves"?
The way we handle problems is a way to begin. Rather than trying by our own
cleverness to solve them we can admit our own inadequacy so the Lord can get
through to us again. To truly praise God is to reverence Him in every place
for there is no place where He is not. The Lord delights to bless a person
like that. [Yokefellows]
The simply stated, yet profoundly deep truth of this passage, cries out to
us to pay attention to what God says and to implement His instruction in our
lives. Do you want the abundant life that Jesus provides for His children?
Are you willing to invest some time to discover how humility and reverence
for God bring you into abundant life? The world says we need to have good
"self-esteem" in order to be happy in this life; that we should acknowledge
our own goodness and the inherent goodness in others. God's Word says the
opposite: don't do anything out of selfish motives, and consider others to
be better than you are! What does this passage mean to you? Do you have the
abundant life you desire? Look up verses in your Bible that speak of
humility and see how you measure up. Ponder the reverence (holy fear) you
have for the Lord. If you feel the need to start over, begin today by
studying this verse until the Lord brings revival to your heart! [IN HIS
TIME; WALK WITH WISDOM]
Pride and self-esteem cannot flourish in the hearts that keep fresh in
memory the scenes of Calvary. 2T212
Kneeling in faith at the cross, he has [we have] reached the highest place
to which man can attain. SD222
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