More Grace

Secret Weapon

James 4:6 ESV

James 4:6 MSG

Pride is such a strange animal. There are times when I believe it really is the hidden sin that we don’t see. We don’t get a warning about it.

When it pops up I don’t usually realize it until after the fact.  Because of that there was a time in my life when I resolved just to be silent. It seemed to me that every time I opened my mouth to speak I ended up being proud about something. In time I came to realize that being silent wasn’t the key.

Today was no different.

Just today someone asked a question and I started yapping away and we were laughing and before I knew it I jumped down the rabbit hole and I was off and running. I don’t do it on purpose. It just seems to happen.

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

Invariably when I remember what James wrote about God opposing the proud, I collapse and ask God/Jesus to forgive me.

Then I remember there have been times when people have asked me how to “not sin” especially when it comes to pride.

I wish I knew the answer. I do not.

James 4:6 in the Message gives me a slight glimpse of hope. “It’s common knowledge that “God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.”

James defines the sin of pride primarily as “willful pride”. But it’s clear in scripture that we may act or speak in ignorance (I Timothy 1:13) and we will be forgiven.

We may also be proud and presumptuous acting against God. That is willful pride and when the Spirit reminds us we have acted willfully and we turn to God we also will be forgiven. However listening and watching for the Spirit and seeking forgiveness is the key.

Do you see the rub? When we are humble to the Spirit, we seek God. When we are not humble we are not listening. Listening is what we need to remember.

Stop. Pray. Listen. Be humble to God.

Through Jesus, Deborah

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