Topic: Stay humble
Text: James 4:5-7
Key verse: So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
As they say, you cannot have two captains in one boat, there is also no room for any man to stay in contest or competition with God’s authority, so the dictionary defines the word humble as ” having or showing a modest or low estimate of one’s importance.”
James admonishes the man who wants to be successful in spiritual warfare to first humble himself or herself to God. You must have the right estimate of who you are as regards to God. You must define your worth in comparison with God. A wrong estimate will lead to low self-esteem and unhealthy fear, while an overrated estimate produces pride and haughtiness.
Take a look at Saul, when God chose him to be captain and rule over Israel, he was so scared that he went to hide behind the equipment on the day of coronation. Yet not too long from that day, he began to disregard the order of worship and the commandments of God.
Saul replied, “But I’m only from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe in Israel, and my family is the least important of all the families of that tribe! Why are you talking like this to me?” 1 Sam.9: 21 So they asked the Lord, “Where is he?” And the Lord replied, “He is hiding among the baggage.” 1 Sam.10:21
To stay humble before God is to be in submission to the will of God. We have believed so many things about God, his will, and his ways, a believer who will triumph in life must learn to seek God’s will and submit to it daily. David despite his mistakes still earned a favorite place in God’s heart because the scriptures testify he was a man after God’s heart.
And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will. Acts 13:22
God must have the right place in your heart, the place of honor, authority, and reverence. Though we are chosen to become the sons of God, it does not make us equal to God or wiser than he is. He is the sovereign ruler whose word is law and eternal.
Jesus was God, but as his son, he lived in submission to the Father’s will. Listen to what he said while on earth … “Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.” John 5:19
“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” John 5:30 See God for who he is and give him the center stage in your heart knowing that without him you can do nothing especially in spiritual warfare. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
To stay humble you must live in Union with God, his life must flow through you for his power to equally flow to you. The disciplines of worship, prayer, and studying the word must never be lacking in your life. Through these, you maintain fellowship with God daily.
I was in submission to God’s will in almost every area, but when it came to who to marry, l wanted my will not God\’s. I wanted to please family, l looked at the financial status of my suitor and l imagined all the things that can cause me any inconvenience in that marriage and l wanted to do my own thing. After resisting God for a while and losing my peace, l turned around to submit to his will and resist the lies of the devil. This is the scripture that nailed it for me.
“Now yield and submit yourself to Him [agree with God and be conformed to His will] and be at peace; In this way [you will prosper and great] good will come to you. Job 22:21
Does God have a right to influence your choice in marriage? You decide. If he is on the throne in your heart, where is the limit to his control? You can’t make wrong choices and ask God to fix the mess when you have to deal with the devil and what he is doing against you, you must ensure you have not acted in rebellion or disobedience towards God then you can have the right to judge every disobedience caused by the enemy.
Am speaking about right standing with God, the armor of righteousness is effective when there is no disobedience the devil can hold unto. By [speaking] the word of truth, in the power of God, with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand [to attack] and for the left hand [to defend]; 2 Cor. 6:7
Spend some time in reflection today, is there an area of your life to submit to God? Agree with him on how things should be done, it takes staying humble to God for you to kick the devil out of your life.
Blessings
Roses&Thorns
