Pride vs. Humility

Written By Betty Predmore

Pride vs. Humility

JAMES 4:1-17

(November 20)

There is a tough fight that is fought in a person's mind and heart. Humility can be hard to achieve, especially when it requires you to surrender your own will for the sake of someone else's. This is not natural or easy for most of us. We really buy into that Burger King slogan: "Have it your way."

Jesus set for us the most stunning example of pride vs. humility in his complete surrender to God. When Satan showed him the world and offered it to him, he did not let pride make his decision. He stayed humble to his father.

When the sacrifice was terrifying, and his human emotions wanted nothing more than to find escape, his humble spirit said, "Not my will, but your will be done."

As James indicates in Chapter 4, wanting what you do not have and being jealous of others causes strife. When we are not at peace with ourselves, how can we be at peace with others?

"Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures." (Verses 2-3)

God knows our hearts. He knows our intentions and motives. When pride is your motive, your request will not be honored. He answers according to his own will.

Submitting to God will cause the enemy to back off. When you place yourself under the authority of God, you receive his grace and promises. Walk away from the sin of pride. If we saw our sin the way God sees it, we would wail and mourn. But because of his grace, we are not left wailing and mourning. He lifts us out of that agony with his bountiful grace.

Another way pride rears its ugly head is by talking negatively about someone else. Have you ever had someone speak evil of you? That can hurt so much. Since most of us know how it feels, we should be careful not to do it to others. Slander is from the enemy, and judgement is very different from holding someone accountable.

Boasting is also prideful and demonstrates no humility. A proud and boastful person will tell you all about the great plans they have for this or that. It is all about what THEY are going to do. But a humble person will share their hopes and dreams and want them for themselves ONLY if it is God's will for their lives. We can all make plans, but God's will always prevails over anything we have planned. Our attitude should be, "Thy will be done."

It isn't easy. But the good things seldom are. If we want to win the battle of pride vs. humility, we have to start with surrendering to God and his will for our lives. When we let go and let God, great things will happen.

Betty Predmore

Betty Predmore is a writer, blogger, speaker and ministry leaders. She is the founder of Mom-Sense, Inc., a ministry designed for mentorship, connection and service to women of all life circumstances. Through this ministry, women are encouraged and supported with scripture and life application. Mom-Sense helps women overcome life struggles through small group classes with biblical curriculum, individual counseling, bible studies, and other areas of support.

Betty also directs the Imperial Valley Life Center, which is a non-profit faith-based pro life women’s resource center. She has a passion for saving the unborn and supporting mothers through pregnancy and motherhood.

Betty loves to speak at events, sharing the love of Jesus with other women. She does this through practical life application mingled with God’s word, and sprinkled with humor. Having experienced a broken home, divorce, abuse, grief, single motherhood, blended families, and adoption, she uses the broken places and movement of God in her own life to share His word in an inspiring way. She enjoys sharing her blogs on social media as a way of reaching out on a broader spectrum. Betty has many speaking topics which can be found on her website: www.bettypredmore.com

As an author, she has had the opportunity to impact women and reach deep into their hearts with her words of inspiration and encouragement. Through Pondering Virtue and Whispered Grace, she has created wonderful tools for the woman who is seeking direction in her spiritual walk.

Betty serves on the writing team of A Wife Like Me, and is also a contributor to Moms Encouraging Moms and Gift of Thorns. Her blogs have appeared in several magazine publications throughout the years including Southern Faith Magazine, Purposeful Life, and Aspiring Woman Magazine.

While Betty thrives on her ministry opportunities, her greatest blessings come from being a wife to Jim and a mama to their wonderful collection of children, who bring joy, laughter, and an occasional tear to her days.


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