Pride is something that tempts all of us. Unfortunately, if we give in to pride, it takes us in directions that we never intended to go. The question is, how do we turn away from pride when we recognize it in our lives? According to James 4, the first thing we must do is turn to God.
After James called his readers in the book of James to humble themselves in James 4:7, he taught them how. He wrote, "Come close to God, and God will come close to you" (verse 8). What a promise we have to claim in these verses! We can embrace humility by coming close to God, and He comes close to us when we do. Picture it, the God of the universe takes steps toward us when we move toward Him. This truth is beautiful. You may be wondering, at this point, how we can come close to God. James continues teaching us how in James 4. He wrote, "Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world" (verse 8). When we draw close to God by letting go of sin and embracing Him instead. We also draw close to Him by praying and talking to Him. We get closer to God by reading His word. We take steps toward Him by diving into community and attending weekend services.
If we want to embrace humility, we must take steps toward God. We have to let go of sin and pray, read Scripture, join a small group, attend weekend church services, and more. Will you take steps toward God today? As you do, you will experience growth and humility and thrive in your relationship with Him.
Your call today is to draw near to God. What step towards God can you take today? Maybe you will open your Bible and linger in the pages of Scripture a little longer than usual. Maybe you will pray. Maybe you will draw close to God by planning to attend one of our weekend services this weekend. Whatever it looks like, take a step toward God today. When you take a step toward Him, He will take a step toward you.
"What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don't they come from the evil desires at war within you? 2 You want what you don't have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can't get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it. 3 And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong-you want only what will give you pleasure.
4 You adulterers! Don't you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. 5 Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. 6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say,
"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble."
7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor."
