Few attitudes have so many beneficial results as humility. Humility, one of God’s gracious gifts to a Christian, guards against pride and selfishness, allows one to submit to God and follow his will, resist the temptations of Satan, live in close relationship to the Father, achieve purity in life and contribute to peace in Christian groups.
Few attitudes have more disastrous consequences than pride. Pride, one of humankinds most serious departures from Christlikeness, causes a person to be self centered, leads to ruptured relationships even in Christian groups, places one at enmity with God and others, employs one’s will against God’s plans, and leads one to pray in the wrong spirit and commit the sin of being critical of others.
James teaches that we should value humility and reject pride. The individual Christian life and the health of Christian congregations rests on believers allowing God to help them overcome pride and practice humility.
The perils of pride (James 4:1-5)
James speaks to believers who are living in congregations yet are experiencing strains and difficulties in these relationships. He employed violent terms but probably referred to verbal and relational strains rather than actual physical actions. The source of both the wars (long battles such as the Korean War) and fights (the specific conflicts that are part of war) is the “cravings” or the internal sinful desires or passions.
Pride causes believers to think they deserve some position or that their views should be honored. Insistence on “rights” leads to friction and conflict in church, home and community. Pride thus results in conflict among believers.
A second tragic consequence of pride is in wrongful prayer. Desire pushes believers to desires they deeply crave and even seek by human means rather than through divine gift. These cravings are not attained because they do not ask them from God or more likely ask in self-seeking ways hoping to use those things for themselves. Even in prayer, their motives are self-serving pride.
Pride also results in an unacceptable lifestyle. James calls his readers “adulteresses.” In this term, James carries out the Old Testament view of the relationship of God and Israel as husband and wife. Several translations indicate the likelihood that James meant all believers and spoke of many of the readers as unfaithful people. Following the lead of pride and self-interest makes one a friend of the world and thus an enemy of God.
In verse 5, James speaks in a rather difficult to understand fashion. James may have written this to those who allow pride to guide them.
The huge reward of humility (James 4:6-12)
James turns to hope. God provides the answer. God will give humility that can overcome all the damages that selfish, prideful acts can cause. God gives grace that is greater than pride and overcomes pride. Submitting to God’s guidance provides believers with grace that will overcome the sinful tendencies of pride.
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Humility guides believers to rely on God and his provision. In this relationship, believers will be able to resist and defeat the Devil. They will be empowered to engage in heart-felt devotion to God (draw near him) and enjoy close and intimate relationship with God (he will draw near the believer). They will be enabled to live in purity by cleansing their hands (outward behavior) and their hearts (internal attitudes). In this way, they can avoid being double-minded, attempting to serve God and selfish desires of the world. God will raise up those who live in humility before him.
James calls for genuine repentance on the part of his readers. In verse 9, the words “grieve,” “mourn” and “wail” were used by the prophets to express heartfelt repentance and a return to the Lord. Changing laughter to mourning does not call for a Christian life without joy. James’ reference is to persons who scoff against God and make light of his commands.
James condemns critical speech directed toward others. Believers vested with God’s humility will not judge, slander or condemn fellow believers. These humble Christians realize only God should judge.
The future assurance of humility (James 4:13-17)
Those persons who are beset by pride rely on human planning to seek fortune and advancement. The world of James’ readers was marked by growing commercial activity and possibilities. How easy for those filled with pride to engage in arrogant planning for profits from human efforts.
James reminds his readers, with the expression, “now listen,” that human life is transitory. No human has a promise of tomorrow (Proverbs 27:1). He reflects the Old Testament view of human life as a “mist” or “vapor” (Job 7:7; Psalm 39:5-6). Humility leads believers to understand they will have opportunities for other days only by the will of God. To boast of opportunities beyond what God provides is arrogance and evil boasting.
In regard to time for work, James hastens to remind his readers that one who knows to do good and fails to do it falls into sin. Humility understands that time and life belong to God and should be used according to his will and purpose.
Pride brings disaster and failure. Humility opens opportunity and success. James teaches us that all of life, including business, should be committed to God. To do less is to allow pride to drive us away from God’s best.
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