Tag: humility

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

When we think of pride, our first thought is usually of the people who always think they are right. But the Biblical definition of pride goes even deeper; God defines Pride as Self-exaltation.

“In the Bible, pride is a sinful, excessive self-love and arrogance that exalts oneself above God and others, often involving rebellion against God’s authority and taking credit for accomplishments that belong to Him.”

Most Believers would never admit to having a spirit of pride, but unless we are surrendering ourselves in humility to God every day to follow our Shepherd, Jesus Christ, God tells us that we have prideful hearts.

“True humility is the evidence that we behold God and that we are in union with Jesus Christ. Unless we are meek and lowly, we cannot claim that we have any true conception of the character of God.”

God Promises Joshua Prosperity

“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:7).

In Joshua 1:7, God promises to make Joshua prosperous. Fast forward to 2025, and we immediately associate prosperity with financial gain and increased material possessions.

God clarifies that material prosperity was not His promise to Joshua because we are warned throughout the Holy Bible not to pursue the Pride of Life.

The Pride of Life: “For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.” (1 John 2:16, NLT).

Satan’s Deception of Prosperity

“Prosperity teachers focus primarily on the here and now, seeking wealth as ‘proof’ of God’s blessing. They attach a couple of out-of-context Bible verses to their hype and call it Biblical teaching. However, God’s desire for us to prosper [usually] does not include material wealth at all.”

“First Timothy 6:9 warns, ‘Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.’ “

When Jesus Christ came to this Earth as a baby, He was born in a barn full of animals, and His first bed was a manger, which is a feeding trough for animals.

Because of the worldviews of material acquisition, we cannot comprehend the surrender, faithful obedience, and humility required for Jesus to leave His Heavenly Throne, and come to Earth to be hated, and crucified.

Yet, He did it to save our souls. Unless we serve God in Spirit and Truth with humility, surrender, and obedience, our only reward will be the things we are pursuing on this Earth.

Jesus’ Warning to Believers

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. But seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:19-21).

The human heart naturally gravitates toward fulfilling Jesus’ promise of “and all these things will be added to you” by rewarding ourselves.

“Jesus said, ‘How difficult it is for the rich to inherit the kingdom of God’ ” (Luke 18:24). Wealth quickly takes hold of us and promises a security it cannot deliver.”

“Prosperity can become a substitute for the real goal of pursuing God and His righteousness (see Matthew 6:33).”

“As a Good Father, God withholds what we clamor for, choosing instead to give us what we truly need. He has our eternal benefit in mind, not our short-term comfort (Luke 12:33–34).”

Using our spiritual weapons of Prayer, diligent study of the Scriptures, and praying for Jesus’ strength, which is given to us by the Holy Spirit is required to”Put on the Whole Armor of God.” (Ephesians Chapter 6).

Sanctification also requires the human effort of cooperating with the Holy Spirit is required to receive daily spiritual growth, development, and transformation required by God to receive our reward of Eternal Life.

We can come to Jesus just as we are, but we cannot stay just as we are. Our earthly lives are the only opportunity, we have for our minds, characters, and personalities to be transformed by the Holy Spirit into the likeness of Christ’s Righteous Character (Galatians 5:22-23).

Everyday, we decide whether, or not we will live a sacrificial life as Christ did. More than spoken words are required to live holy. Our thoughts, pursuits, and lifestyle truly reveal if we are preparing for Eternal Life, or chasing the Pride of Life.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2).

Lord God, we confess that we are not living the sacrificial life required to receive spiritual transformation, and our reward of Eternal Life. We ask for forgiveness for chasing the pride of life, and ask You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, and give us a renewed heart baptized with the Holy Spirit. We surrender, and ask this prayer in the Righteous Name of Jesus, Amen.

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