I am discovering more and more that you have to purposefully carve out time to do the Lord’s work. Experience has taught me that if I choose to go with the flow I will be continually distracted by those things that have no eternal value. Thanks be to God who always causes me to triumph!!

We are here again, continuing our insightful, and hopefully, transforming journey through the Book of James. Today, we will be reflecting on James 4:1-10, which I have entitled “Pride Prevents Provision”.

Pride Prevents Provision (James 4:1-10)

If you read my blog series “The Many Faces of Pride” (see link below), you would already be aware that pride is not always evident as the root cause of most of our problems. In the beginning of James chapter 4, we see pride as the underlying cause of strife. What is the link? Pride always puts “self” at the centre and strife usually occurs when things are not going the way “we” want them to go or “we” are not getting what “we” want or “we” feel that “we” should have what someone else has cause “we” are more deserving of it. Pride has at its core “lust” – the craving for things that will fulfill the pleasures of the flesh even if this means bringing pain to others to get them. In James 1:14-15, we saw how sin occurs when we are tempted as a result of the desires within us that demand to be satisfied. Therefore, the way to avoid sin is to keep these desires under subjection to our spirit, which has been empowered by the Holy Spirit to resist worldly pleasures. Satan is the “prince of this world” (Jhn. 14:30) so when we yield to worldly pleasures and follow the norms of this world we are, in fact, giving authority over ourselves to Satan and stepping into enemy territory. We are allowing ourselves to become entangled again by the yoke of bondage (Gal. 5:1).

Another sign of pride is being unwilling to admit that we are in need of help. So, rather than ask God to supply our needs or even ask others for help we prefer to use underhand means to have our needs satisfied. Most times trying to get things in this way still leaves us wanting more, feeling dissatisfied, as ill-gotten gains are never lasting or satisfying. James is telling us, if we would simply humble ourselves we could get what we need simply by asking for it. But no, that’s just too simple. When we ask though, we have to assess our motives because if we are asking God for something just so we can keep up with others, to profile, to show off, to satisfy our own lusts rather than to satisfy real needs, then God won’t be providing what we ask. To do so would be to encourage sin in our lives. Always remember, Father God is more interested in your character than your comfort. Been asking for something lately and not getting it? Maybe you need a heart check. God is constantly examining our hearts so maybe, just maybe, we ought to be doing so too :).

Throughout the earlier chapters in the Book of James, and again in these verses, James is pointing us to the “sin that so easily ensnares us” (Heb. 12:1). One that was prevalent among his community of believers and is still common among believers today. We are all at risk and must heed lest we ourselves fall or if having already done so will be able to recognize the signs outlined and acknowledge our sin; repent; receive God’s forgiveness; come out of agreement with the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life (1 Jhn. 2:16); and refocus our lives on walking in the righteousness of God.

Verse 7 reveals that the antidote for pride is humility. Out of a humble heart you will willingly submit to God’s will and ways. Only then will you be able to resist the enemy’s temptations and cause him to flee from you. If we take the sin of pride lightly we will surely regret it; hence, we are warned to take matters into our own hands and follow through to consecrate ourselves so that God Himself will be the One to life us up rather than the pride of our own hearts which will lead us only to destruction.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people!!

Shalom.

The Many Faces of Pride (Part 1)