God Resisteth the Proud
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.(James 4:6, KJV)
What if the very thing keeping you from God’s blessings is hidden in your heart? In this devotional, we will explore what it means that God resists the proud by examining the words “proud” and “resist.” You may discover a surprising form of pride.
James quotes Solomon in Proverbs 3:34: “Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.” Both James and Peter reference this verse, highlighting two types of pride. In 1 Peter 5:5, Peter applies it to human pride, urging us to humble ourselves and submit to one another.
James, however, focuses on a more subtle and dangerous form of pride—pride toward God. He provides insight in verse 10, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (James 4:10)
Can we be proud toward God? Yes, that’s James’s point, which was also Solomon’s. Pride toward God means seeing ourselves as self-sufficient, with no room for Him in our lives. In essence, pride against God says, “I don’t need You.”This pride lies at the heart of sin, making it deadly. The psalmist says,
“The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.” (Psalms 10:4)
The term “wicked” here refers to anyone who disregards God’s commands, just as “pride” refers to rejecting our dependence on Him.
If we think only sinners struggle with this, we are mistaken. Pride fuels sin, but it can also affect God’s people through self-righteousness, ministry gifts, or achievements. Pride toward God is primarily a heart issue—hidden from others but fully seen by God.
God’s response to pride is clear: He opposes it. The word “resist” means to oppose actively, not just in thought but through action. If God opposes us, we are in serious trouble.
What God revealed to me about this type of pride is that it’s often so subtle that we don’t even realize it. Those who are proud toward God often do not realize it, which makes it even more problematic.
In contrast, God desires humility—both toward others and, most importantly, in His presence. When we humble ourselves, He promises to lift us up and give us grace. We must not allow our hearts to elevate us to the point where we see no need for God. The dangers that lead us into this pride include wealth, position, ministry success, and achievements. We must guard ourselves against this hidden killer.
Meditate
Let us consider how pride or self-reliance may be keeping us from God’s grace. How can humility unlock His favor in our lives?
Act on the Word
We should examine our hearts. Are there areas where pride has taken root? Let us ask God to reveal them and help us humble ourselves, allowing His grace to flow freely into our lives.
Pray
Father, show us where pride has taken root in our lives. We surrender those areas to You and ask for Your grace to walk in humility and fulfill Your will. Amen.
Recommended Read
- What Is the Pride of Self-righteousness?
- Pride goes before a fall
- Undeserved and Unmerited
- Unveiling Three Signs of Ungratefulness in Our Lives
- In the Year that King Uzziah Died, I Saw the Lord
- All Deshen Daily Devotionals
Free Mini E-book: From Spiritual Dryness to Flourishing
