Devotional Thoughts | James Pt. 9

Impact of Pride

As we continue our devotions in the Epistle of James, chapter 4, we find again truths which are as applicable to our lives today as they were when written to the early church. This is the beauty of the Scriptures, and with the Holy Spirit’s leading our lives are greatly enriched in the faith as we apply these timeless truths to our circumstances.

James 4:1-4

4 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Clearly this passage exposes the impact of pride. As we look personally, or if we expand to a global view, we cannot deny the negative impact of pride. Look at the question James asks in verse 1. What is the source of quarrels and conflicts in our life?

An honest assessment will likely reveal it is pride. The proud always want their way. We always want to be right, and when we think we are right we are not quick to abandon our position, and in so doing allowing another to have the high ground of being right. The truth is it is embarrassing to be shown we are wrong, or misinformed, it is frustrating not always getting our way or winning.  As a result, the prideful person becomes quarrelsome or picks a fight rather than admitting they were wrong, misinformed or lost the contest.

The story of Cain and Abel illustrate this principle as outlined in verse 2-3.

Genesis 4:3-8 NLT  3 The day came when Cain brought a gift of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. 4 But Abel brought a gift of the first-born of his flocks and of the fat parts. The Lord showed favor to Abel and his gift. 5 But He had no respect for Cain and his gift. So Cain became very angry and his face became sad. 6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why are you looking down? 7 Will not your face be happy if you do well? If you do not do well, sin is waiting to destroy you. Its desire is to rule over you, but you must rule over it.”

8 Cain told this to his brother Abel. And when they were in the field, Cain stood up against his brother Abel and killed him.

 Cain brought an offering of his labor; he was proud of the produce. Abel brought an offering from the flock and God accepted it, while rejecting Cain’s. What did Cain do? He killed his brother. Why? It seems like an overreaction. However, his pride, his need for acceptance and approval fueled the murderous rage which resulted in his brother’s death.

James exposes the impact of pride even in our prayer life. Too often we fail to receive from the Lord because we fail to ask for help. Additionally, he states wrong motives are often behind our requests.  Have you ever analyzed why you are asking for something? What is your motive? According to James, too often the motive is self. I believe selfish pleasure is crouching at the door of our heart craving validation and expression. But God loves us too much to give us what will harm us.

Several years ago, I experienced the impact of pride in the simple, but powerful lesson. I was riding my bike on a well-travelled bike trail when I had a flat tire. As I started working on my bike, I had multiple other bike riders ask if I needed help. I declined each offer thinking I could easily handle the situation. After all, I have changed many flat bike tires over the years between my personal riding and that of my children as they grew up. Unfortunately, even using my tire tools, I could not get the tire back on the rim. After struggling with the tire for over 30 minutes, a young man who was one of the first to offer help, returned and asked the second time if I needed help. This time my pride was gone, and I readily accepted his kind offer. It took both of us working together to get the tire mounted back on the rim and aired up so I could continue my ride.

In verse 4 James says friendship with the world is hostility towards God. He equates it with an adulterous relationship. When pride is the motivation of our life, we find ourselves living in opposition to the Lord. NOTE: James says it way; Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.