In James 4 and 1 Peter 5, we find the same verse: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” You can read the passages here and here.
So who are the proud and who are the humble?
Let’s start with the humble. James gives us the answer in the very next verse. He says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God.”
Peter puts it this way: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand…”
Want to experience more and more of God’s grace (and all that comes with it)? Humble yourself under His mighty hand. Submit yourself to Him.
So who are the proud? The proud are those who continue to direct their own lives and insist on doing things their own way. They’re not necessarily bad people. They may even go to church, lead Bible studies or teach Sunday School. They’ve just not submitted fully to God’s rule in their lives.
God’s promise to those who live like this? Opposition from God Himself.
What I find most interesting though in these two passages is what both writers say next.
James says, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Peter writes, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…”
Lion at the San Diego Zoo
Right after telling us to live in submission to God, James and Peter tell us to resist the devil. Peter elaborates by telling us to be self-controlled and alert because the devil is looking from someone to devour.
Earlier this month, my family and I visited the San Diego Zoo. I had no problem resisting the lion because of the strong fence between us. Had it not been for the fence, I never would have gotten close enough to take this picture. If he’d been loose, I would have made sure my family and I were nowhere near him. You would have too.
We’re not always so careful when it comes to avoiding and resisting our enemy who prowls just like a lion.
Recently, a friend was telling me about some things he did for which he now feels guilty. If I was to compare his situation to an actual lion attack, I’d say he was badly mauled and lost quite a bit of blood. There are some deep wounds that will take a long time to heal and scars that will never go away.
What happened?
My friend was not living in submission to God and was not self-controlled or alert. And it cost him. Dearly.
We experience God’s grace and wisdom and protection as we submit to Him. Going our own way and not being self-controlled or alert to the devil’s schemes, only invites danger.
Where are you today? Are living in submission to God? Are you self-controlled? Alert?
Are you resisting the devil?
Or have you wandered so carelessly close to his den that you can almost smell his breath?