But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
I often wondered why it is so hard for some believers to humble themselves at the unction of the Holy Ghost. Some have spent the better part of their lives creating an image of themselves for all others to worship. Humility would be a shattering blow to that image. They cannot risk that. Oftentimes, one’s self- image is the glue that holds their imaginary world together. In their world they are never in any way beneath their peers. They are always better, more qualified, smarter, prettier, more handsome, and more capable than their comrades, despite the scripture instructing us to esteem the other higher than ourselves (Philippians 2:3). There is no way any situation, guilty or not, is going to get them to humble themselves to those whom they think to be unworthy of such a thing.
Sadly, there are also those who are never able to find any remorse for the way they have mistreated others. In some rare cases, during confrontation, they might even admit privately that they were wrong in the way they dealt with certain issues. However, they do not have the strength of character to go back to their victims and truly apologize. And they would never even consider a public apology, even though their offenses were very public.
Ephesians 4:17-19
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
These are people whose hearts are hardened and they are willing to give in to the unction or counsel of the Holy Ghost. They really don’t care enough about people, to consider the pain they cause others a bad thing. Nothing they do to people is unwarranted. And then there are those whose pride is fortified by unbelief, and their unbelief is fueled by iniquity. One of the greatest weapons satan has in his arsenal is iniquity. It is capable of blinding the sons of God to such a degree that they are no longer able to discern God. This is the sad truth that some who have heard and taught the word of God have fallen into. They cannot see or understand truth that is revealed to many others by the Holy Ghost. It is sad because they are not able to offer scriptural rebuttal to the truth they hear, so they fall back on past offenses, mistakes or even the past sin of those who minister such truths.
They have no scripture to hang their hats on, so they use remembrance of others’ past to justify to themselves their own obstinance. They resist the Holy Ghost in the name of secret distrust. They are the judges who declare the past, present, and future of God’s servants. Why? Simply because they do not believe the preaching of the mystery of Christ. But a better question is, “Why don’t they believe that which the Holy Ghost is bearing witness of in others? Once again, the answer is the same; they are willing to bear the witness of the Holy Ghost not being in agreement with them. They will bear and live with his rebuke, rather than humble themselves and seek out the heart and mind of God. These are lost in their own conceit. They cannot repent until they humble themselves.
1 Peter 5:6
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
In every case humility is the answer. There is no other way to come to the Father. Beloved, seek God for the strength of character needed to humble yourself to Him and the Body of Christ. Do not choose to perish in your own conceit. Turn back to God and fall on your face before him and surrender your will and pride. Destroy the image you have of yourself and put on Christ.
James 4:6-10
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,and he shall lift you up.
