WISDOM OF HUMILITY

MEMORY VERSE: "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord , and He shall lift you up" [James 4:10]


CENTRAL TRUTH: God blesses those who humble themselves before Him.

INTRODUCTION
Humility is not a popular personality trait in today’s society. Many people equate humility with weakness. They believe that if someone wants to get ahead in this world, he or she needs to take charge and be a strong leader, no matter what it takes or who it hurts.
Scripture, though, teaches differently. One can be a strong and successful leader and still be humble. Humility, then, is not weakness, but an honest realization of who one is and where one ’s strength comes from.
"Humility" is a character trait that is to be manifested in Our relationship with God, in the way Witness and in the way we think about the treat others. Perhaps pride has replaced humility in some areas of our lives. As we look in this lesson, let us ask the Holy Spirit to examine our lives. He can help us have the true humility that comes from knowing Christ and submitting to God’s will.
Let us learn to draw near to God for He is the lawgiver. God’ s grace is given to those who humble themselves before God (James 4: 6). Since God’s help is available to those who humble themselves, believers can live Victoriously over sin.
As believers, we are to submit to God. Submission involves obedience and surrendering our will. it is allowing God to be the Lord of our lives no matter what happens.
We cannot avoid temptation, but we do not need to yield to it. We are to resist the devil and any temptation he uses to ensnare us. Drawing nigh to God includes leaving the worldly lifestyle and its sin behind. Our actions and motives are to be conformed to God’ s word instead of the attitudes and motives of the world.
“Cleanse your hands“ and“ ‘purify your hearts" are commands that are reminders of the cleansing of the priest necessary for them to serve in the tabernacle (Exo. 30:19-21). For the believers though, this cleansing refers to spiritual cleanliness in serving the Lord. Believers must be clean in actions (hands) and in motives (hearts) as they serve the Lord.

James condemned speaking evil of fellow believers because to do so is to judge a fellow believer. But more than this, the person who speaks evil is also speaking evil of and judging the law.

James was probably referring to Leviticus 19:18. "Love your neighbour as yourself”. The person who criticizes another believer is violating this law. Not only that, but by his actions, he is stating that this law is unnecessary. He is judging the validity of this law and is ignoring its command.

1. DEFEND ON GOD’S WILL: James 4:13-1 7

Considering life's uncertainty helps us to yield to God's  will. People who are successful sometimes believe nothing bad will happen to them They plan their futures as if they have total control over tomorrow, next week and next year. But Scripture does not guarantee any person tomorrow, let alone other year. James 4:13 warns those who believe they controlled their own destiny. Making plans for the future is not wrong if done with a reliance on God. God is a God of planning and order. As we seek Him, He can guide our planning. Planning for the future can help us fulfill God's will for our lives.

While there is nothing wrong with having personal, family, or church goals, making plans without considering God shows a lack of respect for God’s plans for our lives.

Think for a moment about the simple act of eating. Where does the food come from? How is it prepared? God expects people to plant, harvest, and prepare food so they can eat it. Yet it is God who provides seed, makes it grow, and gives strength to people to do the work. Dependence on God is often just acknowledging and thanking Him as the source of all things as we work with the things He has provided so needs can be met.

REED ALSO: 
FAITHFULNESS TO THE TRUTH 

2. REJECT SELF-INDULGENCE AND OPPRESSION: James 5:1 -3 
Bible warns against self indulgence and abusing others. The focus of James 4:13-17 seems to be businessmen in the church, but those mentioned in 5:1-6 appear to be nonbelievers since James does not address them as brothers. ' James warns them of the judgement that is going to come on them (verse 1).

James stated that God will judge these men for hoarding their wealth (verses 2-6). What they had stored for money for their own pleasure and use had rotted. They has stored their money for such a long time that it had become tarnished. These things testified of their greed, selfishness, and lack of concern for others. The Bible does not condemn wealth. What is important is how we use what God has given us. Possessions are not to be used only for our own enjoyment. We also need to consider how they can be used to further God’s kingdom. Those who have no thought of using their possessions to spread the gospel and to help others are not being the stewards God intended them to be. God will judge those who misuse what He has entrusted them with. They face God’s judgement, where their money will not help them. God expects people to use their resources to care for their families. He also expects people to be generous to those who are in need. It is when a person uses all his resources for self indulgence that he falls under God' 3 condemnation such a person has come to trust in his wealth, not in God. Believers represent Christ at all times including their relationships at work. When believers are dishonest in business dealings with others, they tarnish their testimony and hurt the cause of Christ.

CONCLUSION
It is not always easy to be humble. Our jobs may demand that we be aggressive if we are going to succeed. We may feel we need to look out for ourselves or we will be passed by for promotions or other forms of compensation. But God’s blessings i. ill be on our lives when we obey His word and allow humility to characterize our lives.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1. Why IS speaking evil against other believers wrong?

2 Should Christians make plans for the future? If so, how?

3. What IS the balance between dependence on God and doing things ourselves? 
4. Should James 5:l -3 be understood to mean it is wrong to save money for retirement or to provide?

My name is Ubong Kingsley Nsini. I am a preacher in Bible Christian Evangelical Church Inc. I am called by God to preach His good news and to help other preachers spread the good news all over the world.

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