Humility: Pride's Greatest Enemy

In order for us to exalt the knowledge of God above strongholds in our lives, something else has to come down. We can’t serve two masters. There is no room for the knowledge of God to share the highest place with counterfeits. He is either exalted or something else is.

As I studied world religions in school I noticed a commonality, it was kind of obvious. Christianity is the only religion that says you have to have a savior. In some form or fashion all the other religions believe that each individual can do things to save themselves, enlighten themselves, and ultimately become god. I’ve written before about how the message of, “I can save myself, I have the power, I am god,” is all over the place. I’ve had all I can stands and I stands no more (thank you Popeye) of being force fed this bologna, and I’m beside myself that people are deceived into believing it.

It all boils down to pride. It’s pride that believes you can save yourself. Our greatest act of humility is admitting that we can’t do it on our own and we need a savior. Pride says I can figure this out. Humility says I need You, God. Pride says I don’t need a savior. Humility says Jesus is my only hope. Pride says do what you want to, do what feels right. Humility says I trust the knowledge and ways of God. Those comparisons can go on forever and ever.

James and Peter both said, “God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble.” (Js 4:6, 1 Pt. 5:5) This past spring I was in a meeting when I began feeling nauseated. Within five minutes I lost my lunch. During the process, after I realized my prayers were not going to stop the inevitable, I heard the Lord say, “This is what it looks like when I resist the proud.” I know that is gross, but I will never forget it! Pride cannot exist with humility. They are enemies, and I promise you that you want to be on humility’s side.

I can see pride and humility as two guards fighting for authority over the high place of our hearts. They aren’t necessarily trying to reside there themselves. Pride puts up a nasty fight when we try to pull down strongholds, vain imaginations, lofty opinions and replace them with the knowledge of God. It is pride that argues with our willingness to trust God and His ways. The psalmist says that it is the pride of the wicked that keeps him from seeking God and making room for Him (Ps. 10:4). Humility also puts up a fight when we let pride deceive us. (Obadiah 1:3) That’s why pride and humility are enemies. They are at war with each other, fighting for our high place. (Let me clarify, it doesn’t out right say they are enemies in the Bible. I am using analogies to help my case. If you don’t like my analogies, please create your own. I’m certain you will come to the same conclusion that the only way for the knowledge of God to be exalted to the highest place in our hearts, souls, and minds is through humility.)

When I wrote about representing, I mentioned that as leaders we will lead others according to what is residing in the highest place of heart, soul and mind. Similarly, if pride is winning the battle of our high place, then we will lead others in pride. If humility is the gate to our high place, then we will lead others to humility.

Remember the passages that may or may not be referring to Satan? ...to be continued