The problem of pride is one with which we all struggle. It ultimately causes all sin. We want what we want, and we decide to do what we want rather than what God wants us to do. It is a struggle for all of us, and so the righteous strive to heed God’s admonition, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:5-8).
It was humility, not pride that secured for us the way of redemption. Jesus’ means of accomplishing His Father’s will was His selfless, humble obedience, “to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” In this He serves as our example, as we are encouraged to “let this mind be in [us] which was also in Christ Jesus.” We are told that “Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble” (Proverbs 3:34).
With this in mind, we are brought to the words of James in James 4:1-6. He notes in the first couple of verses examples of strife, warring, fighting and covetousness. These things happen because they were motivated by their own lusts. In effect, their pride. And yet, he writes, “Yet you do not have because you do not ask” (2). Asking God is key. This truth is revealed in God’s dealing with Judah during the Assyrian period. The king of Judah sought protection by establishing a secular alliance with Egypt. He should have instead humbled himself and asked God for help. “‘Woe to the rebellious children,’ says the LORD, ‘Who take counsel, but not of Me, and who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin; who walk to go down to Egypt, and have not asked My advice, to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore the strength of Pharaoh shall be your shame, and trust in the shadow of Egypt shall be your humiliation’” (Isaiah 30:1-3).
But, asking is not enough if you ask in selfishness or pride. “You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 2:3).
Instead, let us humble ourselves before God as did Paul. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
