God opposes the proud…

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” This quotation, originally taken from the Greek translation of Proverbs 3:34, appears twice in the New Testament - in James 4:6 and in 1 Peter 5:5. It is a classic example of Hebrew parallelism. There are two halves to the proverb set in contrast to one another. God is the actor in both scenarios. He acts in two very different ways in response to two very different kinds of people.

In this essay, I want to tease out the differences between pride and humility and God’s responses to each. Pride has to do with thinking more highly of yourself than you ought (Rom. 12:3), being puffed up, self-sufficient, and contemptuous of others. In Romans 1:30 and 2 Timothy 3:2 it is listed alongside other sins such as being insolent, boastful, lovers of self, lovers of money, abusive (or blasphemous) and disobedient to parents. It stems from a rejection of God and the good hierarchy he has built into his creation. The proud person rejects the idea of living in their station and playing their part. They cannot abide submitting to the authorities God has placed over them – whether in the church, the family or the nation. They will not offer themselves in loving service to others for they are so in love with themselves. So they exalt themselves and exert their power.

By contrast, humility has to do with embracing a lowly, small and obscure life. The humble, are not concerned for their own status or esteem because they are so genuinely concerned for the glory of God and the welfare of others (Phil. 2:4, 20-21). They are not looking to be served but to serve (Mk. 10:45). Seeing themselves entirely as objects of God’s grace, they are truly thankful for their place in his world. They rejoice to see others doing well and flourishing and being honoured even when they are not. They play their part in the life of the church, using their gifts for the common good (Rom. 12:3-9). They submit to their leaders and enjoy the benefits of having cheerful leaders (Heb. 13:17, 1 Pet. 5:5-6). Humble wives will submit to their husbands, children to their parents, slaves to masters (Eph. 5:22-6:9) and humble citizens will submit to those in government (Rom. 13:1-2). This is why humble people make for harmonious and happy people. Humility frees us from desperately engaging in the relentless struggle for status and power. Worldly people backbite and slander, complain and play the victim, stand on their rights, network with the rich and powerful, litigate and sue and take vengeance (Rom. 12:16-18, Jam. 2:6).

Thankfully, God opposes the proud. That is, he resists them. He will frustrate their self-serving, self-exalting plans for themselves. He will put them down. He will not let them rule his world. It may seem strange to us that God does not “give grace” to everybody. It might even sound harsh or callous. Certainly, it distinguishes God from the indifferent or indulgent jolly grandfather figure that some people seem to imagine him to be. But when you think about it, this is very good news. Praise God that he opposes the proud! Who would want to live in a world ruled by self-serving, self-exalting, egomaniacs? But of course, that is the world we currently live in. And the problem is not just out there in other people, but in me. The reason we struggle so much against the hierarchies God has built into his creation, is because ultimately, we don’t want God to be the ruler over his creation. We don’t want to admit that God made us, we didn’t make ourselves. We are all born this way. Born sinful, and born proud, because Sin is fundamentally an act of pride.

So does that mean that God is opposed to all of us? Well, at one level, yes. And the ultimate demonstration of this will be the judgement day. Isaiah puts it vividly,

For the LORD of hosts has a day,

         against all that is proud and lofty,

against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low…

         And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled,

and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low,

         and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. (Isa. 2:12, 17)

Since we are all profoundly sinful and arrogant, this is a day that should frighten us. No one will escape it. “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows that will he also reap.” (Gal. 6:7). And God’s judgement is already upon us. When Adam and Eve sinned God immediately brought the curse upon them and reinstated his hierarchy.[1] Throughout history God’s wrath is being poured out upon rebellious mankind causing them to spiral deeper and deeper into foolishness and self-destruction (Rom. 1:18-32). In his death Jesus inaugurated the judgement day by triumphing over the rulers and authorities (Jn. 12:31, Col. 2:15). In his resurrection he began the resurrection of the final day (Dan. 12:2, Jn. 11:24) and by his Holy Spirit he shares his immortal life with his people (1 Pet. 1:3, 2 Timothy 1:10). While the Devil is the God of this world and of this present evil age (2 Cor. 4:4, Gal. 1:4), the Lord Jesus has already entered into the new world and begun his reign (Heb. 1:3, 6, 2:5). And finally, one day Jesus will return to manifest his reign and consummate his Kingdom (2 Thess. 1:5-10). All of this represents God’s fierce determination to oppose the proud.

Of course, it also demonstrates God’s profound patience with the proud. For God has not unleashed upon us all his wrath at once. Moreover, in sending his Son to die for sinners, God has made a way for the proud to humble themselves before the judgement day to avoid eternal humiliation. The first impact the gospel makes upon a person causes them to deny themselves – that is abase themselves, even loathe and despise their old selves (Mk. 8:34-38). When we do this God lifts us up. He exalts us and honours us. For God gives grace to the humble. This is what gave Mary so much joy when God chose her to bear the promised Messiah. She sang,

 …he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;

        he has brought down the mighty from their thrones

 and exalted those of humble estate; (Lk. 1:51b-52)

For this reason, Peter encourages his readers to humble themselves “so that at the proper time he [God] may exalt you” (1 Pet. 5:6).[2] This is certainly the most obvious and immediate application of everything we’ve been considering. Let us humble ourselves. Secondly though, let us make sure that we present an accurate view of God to the world (and to each other). It is always tempting to present a God who opposes no one and gives grace to everyone. This dishonours God, distorts the good news and will lead to the destruction of many people. We must hate what God hates (see e.g. Ps. 31:6). Christians must always preach boldly against those who are stubborn and proud about their sins. Conversely though, we must assure the humble, broken and contrite that no matter how dark and perverse their past, no matter how messed up their lives, if they throw themselves on Jesus they will find mercy and grace. Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners (Lk. 15:1-2) and condemned those who looked down upon them (Lk. 18:9-14).

[1] See how in Genesis 3, as the fall unfolds the serpent leads the woman who leads the man in rebellion against God. Then in the judgement scene God reinstates the order with himself at the top, then the man, and the woman, and the serpent lowest of all.

[2] The ‘proper time’ being the judgement day when the first will be last and the last first.