THE HUMBLE WILL BE EXALTED

Proclamation:

"For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." Matthew 23:12 (NIV)

Explanation:

These are the words of Jesus, The Christ, which He spoke to the crowd and to His disciples warning them against hypocrisy as recorded by the Apostle Matthew under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God. 

Application:

Some people do things just for show, to be seen by others, to draw attention to themselves, to make themselves appear to be much more important, greater, or whatever, than they actually are.  Don't do things just to be seen by men and praised by men. (Matthew 23:5)  Do what you do because it is the right thing to do, not to get the praise of others for doing it.  Whatever we do should not be done to glorify ourselves in the eyes of others.  We should do things in such a manner so as to give God the glory. (Matthew 5:16)  Whosoever lifts himself up before others will be humbled, and he who humbles himself before others will be exalted.  It is better to be invited up to a seat of honor than to sit in a position of honor and be asked to move. (Proverbs 25:6-7)   Everyone is not who they claim to be.  There are even some people who claim to be a Child of God but they are not one.  Jesus said that there would be those who claim to be His followers but He will tell them to leave because they are evil and He does not know them. (Matthew 25:33 and 41)  We should not think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. (Romans 12:3) 

BE HUMBLE AND BE BLESSED

Proclamation:

“But He gives us more grace.  That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”  James 4:6 (NIV)

Explanation:

These are the words of James, the half brother of Jesus, as he quotes Old Testament Scripture. (Proverbs 3:34)  He is trying to convey to the people of God that pride promotes strife and does not please God.  He states that whoever loves himself and the world is an enemy of God. (James 4:4)  Then he tells them that God gives more of His grace to the humble individuals and withholds it from the proud non-believers.

Application:

Most of us think too highly of ourselves.  As believers we are encouraged to live in harmony, to be sympathetic, to be compassionate, to be humble, and to love one another as brothers. (1 Peter 3:8-9)  We are to be a blessing to one another, especially to the less fortunate.  It is hard to be a blessing to someone when we do not think very highly of them.  We are to be sympathetic to the plight of others, and humble in our dealings with them.  We are not to think less of them because they are different.  Treating others in a non-Christian way may cause us to miss out on a blessing.  We should not look down our noses at others because of their situation because, but for the grace of God, we could be in that situation.  God does not forget the cries of the humble, He remembers them. (Psalm 9:12)  “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12)  A man’s pride shall bring him low; but God will hold up the humble spirit. (Proverbs 29:23)  Therefore let us humble ourselves before God and let Him bless us and exalt us in due time. (1 Peter 5:6)

God Gives Grace To The Humble

"... All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'  Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time."  1 Peter 5:5-6 (NIV) 

These words were recorded by the Apostle Peter, who wrote them under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After addressing the elders, and then the young men, Peter addressed all of the believers and told them to be humble.  He said that The Lord God did not like the proud person, but He blesses the humble individual.  Those who humble themselves before God, will be lifted up by Him in due time.

People who exalt themselves will be put down, and those who humble themselves before God will be exalted. (Matthew 23:12)  We should not think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. (Romans 12:3)  Too much pride in ones self will lead to destruction. (Proverbs 16:18)  The proud shall be brought down low, but the humble shall be upheld. (Proverbs 29:23)  Pride is one of the things that comes out of the heart and mouth of man that defiles him. (Mark 7:20-23)  Pride is not of God, it is a worldly thing. (1 John 2:16)  Believers, therefore, should pray for, and practice humility.  We need to humbly submit to The Lord God and obey His Holy Word.  He will end our suffering, and He will lift us up and graciously bless us, in due time.