Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Philippians 2:3
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5
Can you be vulnerable with God? Can you admit your weaknesses, and iniquities before Him? Can you be totally transparent when talking with and praying to God? Doesn’t God already know how you feel and what you are thinking? Then why is transparency so important for us before Him? It’s definitely not for His benefit, it’s for ours. We must cast off our deception and lies we have agreed with and accepted, and being transparent with God allows us to realize where exactly we really stand with Him. Admitting our pride and arrogance is a good place to start. Admitting that we don’t know everything or understand His ways completely. That we can’t be God’s judge or anyone else’s. We don’t have God’s perspective. Being totally transparent with God allows us to realize how much we really need Him. God already knows that we need Him. And that’s why He has provided all that we need IF we are willing to accept His help.
But we like to think that we actually know best, that God should cater to our needs and give us what we want. So parents have you ever tried to do that with your children, giving them everything they want — but not what is best for them? And how does that workout for them and you? In the scope of eternity — how old are we really? Honestly we are infants in the scope of things. The greatest wisdom we can have is to realize to a degree the power and majesty of God. Proverbs / Solomon calls this the “fear of the Lord”. It is just the BEGINNING of wisdom. Wisdom is SO so much more than just the beginning. The mysteries of the universe are FAR beyond our imaginations. Exactly how many dimensions are there and how do they all work? What is the impact of a single dimension on all the others? The spiritual realm is FAR greater than we know, yet the ‘wise’ men and academics think they figured it all out. All the while sitting in their limited dimensions. Arrogance. Pride. Foolishness. That’s why we can only approach God with REAL humility. If one does not do that they risk more than they understand.
So next time you take some time to ‘talk’ with and pray to God … come before Him with a true humble attitude and heart. Do you think you can really fool God? I also suggest being transparent with Him in confessing your sins (pride, fear, lust) before doing anything else. Drop your ‘religious’ talk and prayers with God and be REAL. Like He doesn’t already know how your actually think and speak. Who are you fooling? Only yourself.
There is an epidemic of pride sweeping the world right now. So many believe that they are not subject to God, that God doesn’t exist and they can do whatever they wish. And because of the gift of free will from God, He allows their ‘choices’, however destructive they are. We are allowed to try to run from God. And exactly where can anyone really hide from God?
This pride has also made it’s home in the Church. It is rampant among so many, who actually should know better. The real followers of Christ should have the Light that dispels the darkness. How are we doing? In your family and household? In your neighborhood? In your city? In your county? In your state? In this country? Is the Light making a big difference in your life? Is the Holy Spirit showing areas in your own life that need to have the Light let in?
Approach God being as humble and honest as you can. Drop the religious formulas and language and be REAL. Confess your sin before Him. Confess your weaknesses before Him. Confess your inabilities. Tell Him truly if you love Him.
God knows.