Responsibilities of the Believer: Humble Yourself

I’ve always considered myself to be a good driver.

But on this day, Jen was especially impressed and incredulous. “How did you do that?” she asked.

“Do what?” I responded.

Apparently, that was the wrong answer because it earned me quite the look! From her perspective, I had perfectly timed the stoplight. I didn’t slow down one bit and was able to drive through just as it turned green.

The problem? I didn’t even see there was a stoplight.

I grew up in a small town with only one light about 5 miles from our house. There was no need for more. I wasn’t used to the traffic and stoplights in the city where Jen lived.

We all know that missing a stoplight is a very dangerous and potentially fatal mistake. I put Jen in a scary situation when she realized I missed seeing that red light because I wasn’t used to looking for them.

For years afterward, Jen would ask if I saw the stoplight or stop sign.  And I would bristle. Internally, I would mutter, “What does she think I am, stupid?”

But that was my fleshly pride responding. The fact is, I didn’t always see them. And that’s a problem! Jen was doing everyone a favor. I just didn’t like that it made me feel inferior.

Pride is defined as “Inordinate and unreasonable self-esteem, attended with insolence and rude treatment of others. It is an attempt to appear in a superior light to what we are.” (Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, p. 874)

Pride is costly in our relationships with God and others.

“The Bible teaches that pride deceives the heart (Jer. 49:16), hardens the mind (Dan. 5:20), brings contention (Prov. 13:10), compasses about like a chain (Ps. 73:6), and brings (people) to destruction (Prov. 16:18). A proud heart stirs up strife (Prov. 28:25) and is an abomination unto the Lord (Prov. 16:5). A proud look God hates (Prov. 6:17), and those who engage therein shall stumble and fall (Jer. 50:32).” (Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, p. 874)

God is crystal clear in Scripture regarding pride and humility: “This is the Lord’s declaration. I will look favorably on this kind of person: one who is humble, submissive in spirit, and trembles at my word.” (Isaiah 66:2, CSB)

And James 4:6b tells us that “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (CSB)

My fleshly pride at being called out on my weakness was a good indication that I needed to humble myself and receive correction; specifically, in the matter of seeing stoplights. It was a life and death correction that I needed to heed.

There is even greater perspective in James’s next verse.

“Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7 CSB)

See, there’s a life and death battle going on in the invisible, heavenly realms, too. If we are proud, God resists us, and we can fall prey to the enemy. For example, in Luke 22:24-34 Peter’s pride gives Satan the right to demand to sift him like wheat.

Jesus put it plainly: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12 & Luke14:11)

There is only one way that boasting is acceptable. When we are boasting in the Lord and in His handiwork. The prophet, Jeremiah recorded, “Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and know me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24, ESV)

In expressing his desire to visit them, the apostle Paul wrote to the Church in Thessalonica, “For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, ESV). We can absolutely “take pride in” seeing God’s transformational work in the lives of people around us because ultimately, this points back to Christ.

Dear Saints, do you humble yourself before the Lord and let him point out the red lights you miss? We all know people who have blown through ‘red lights’ in their life, sometimes even explicit commands of God through which He gives us direction. And the result in their life can be dangerous, even deadly.

But, if you humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, it is more likely that you will live a victorious and significant life for the Kingdom of God.
As I experienced through the stoplight incident, don’t let your pride get in the way. Humble yourself and listen for the Lord’s direction. Even if it took a few years, I’m so glad I learned that, and I know you will be too.