proud – Ministry of Grace Church

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God sets Himself against proud ones, but gives grace to humble ones."

Truth to Learn

Humility before God is a key to having a fulfilling relationship with Him.

Behind the Words

The word translated “more” is meidzona, which is the comparative form of megas, meaning “big or large.” Hence, this word means “bigger or larger.”

“sets … against” is from antitassō, a compound word made up of anti, meaning “against” and tassō, meaning “to arrange in an orderly manner.” This is a military term meaning “to set-up battle lines against an enemy.”

The word “proud” is translated from huperēphanos, which is made up of huper (or hyper), meaning “above” or “over” and a form of phainō, meaning “to show forth” or “to shine.” Hence, literally, it is someone who overly shows himself or herself. That is, someone who is arrogant or personally proud.

The word “humble” is translated from the Greek word tapeinos, which refers to “those who are low, particularly in attitude or social position.”

Meaning Explained

When we make “stuff” our idol and seek it instead of God, it does not please Him. In fact, it makes God jealous because we are His beloved bride and He wants us to seek only Him. When we desire anything other than God, we are acting like an unfaithful wife.

In spite of our sinful selfishness, James tells us that God shows us grace greater than our selfish, self-serving attitude. But God does not show us this grace while we are filled with selfish pride. He only gives it when we are consumed with self-less humility. When we are proud, James tells us here, God sets up battle lines against us, and who in their right mind wants to go to battle against Him?

Throughout the Bible, we see that one of the keys to a fulfilling relationship with Almighty God begins with humility. Look at 2 Chronicles 7:14, where it says:

And if My people, on whom my name is called, shall be humbled, and shall pray, and shall seek my face, and shall turn from their evil ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Also, look at 1 peter 5:6, which says:

Be humbled, then, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in time

We are repeatedly told that humbleness before God is what He wants of us. We live in a world system, however, that is constantly delivering a message of pride and self-reliance, and it is constantly enticing our desire for stuff. That’s what advertising is all about! But as Christians, we need to continually humble ourselves before God and seek His will rather than our own.

Application

Take a pen and paper right now and make a list of the things that you really want in this life. Go ahead, stop reading at the end of this sentence and write down that list.

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 1:30

backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

Truth to Learn

Those who reject God and show an open hatred for Him are fools.

Behind the Words

“backbiters” (katalalos) – One who openly slanderers others.

“haters of God” (theostugēs) – (theos) God + (stugeo) to hate or abhore – one who hates God.

“violent” (hubristēs, from which we get our English word “hubris”) – Arrogant insulter, insolent persecutor of others, one who shames or humiliates another.

“proud” (huperēphanos) – (huper) above + (phaino) to shine – arrogant and proud.

“boasters” (aladzōn) – boaster, bragger.

“inventers of evil things” (epheuretas kakōn) – inventers of bad things or of worthless things.

“disobedient to parents” (goneusin apeitheis) – to parents – unwilling to be persuaded, unbelieving, disobedient.

Meaning Explained

Paul continues his list of characteristics of the mind filled to the brim once God has surrendered those who reject Him to their own sinfulness.

We can see many of the characteristics that we were guilty of ourselves before we were saved and to which we gravitate when we are not under the control of the Holy Spirit. The first one is very similar to the last one in yesterday’s list. The difference between whisperers and backbiters is primarily a matter of volume. By that I mean that whisperers go quietly behind someone else’s back and say gossipy things (it doesn’t matter whether they are true or not). Backbiters, on the other hand, are more brazen and their message is always negative.

The worst of these listed in today’s verse, I suppose, is “haters of God.” This word means not just to feel hatred but to show hatred as well. That anyone would openly hate the all powerful Creator of all things and the Judge of all mankind is foolish. It is also the most self-condemning action a person can do. To disbelieve in the existence of God is one thing, but to hate God you have to believe that He exists, otherwise there is no object of your hatred. Remember that Paul began this part of his message back in verse 20 where he said,

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

According to this, there really is no such thing as an atheist (one who doesn’t believe that there is a God), only those who claim to be atheists. One day at the Great White Throne Judgment they will stand before the very God they claim doesn’t exist (the one they hate) and they will be condemned to eternity in hell for their unbelief!

Application

Christians should exhibit the extreme opposite of the people being described here. The most obvious of our actions should be a love for God. Do your actions demonstrate an active love for the one who has given you eternal life?

In God’s service, for His glory,

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Ministry of Grace Church

Tag: proud

James 4:6 – Humbled before God

Romans 1:30 – Active Hatred