DAILY BIBLE READING: Ezekiel 18, 19; James 4
“Do ye think that the Scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisiteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble” James 4:4-6 (KJV)
Human creation has grace of the spirit that is also called the breath of God at the beginning. But when man fell in the Garden of Eden, the envy that was never part of its creation sneaked in and began to control man. This is the account of the Scripture: “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” Genesis 2:7 (KJV). At redemption, therefore, the human spirit has a rebirth which enables man to be in full devotion to Christ and not any other thing or person.
This spirit that dwells in us as Christians wants a clear distinction between us and the world. This accounts for the stern warning from the writer of the epistle, James. He says: “You adulterous people, don’t you know that frienship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God” James 4:4 (NIV). The above Scripture explains the kind of boundary that is meant to exist between us and the world. You should ask yourself, have I drawn a boundary between myself and the world? What are the properties of the world that I still fraternise with? Just like a soldier who fraternises with the enemy would be shot, in the same way, any Christian who fraternises with the world shall no doubt shoot himself.
Similarly, the spirit that dwells in us also frowns against pride. It is sad to see today, the level of arrogance in the community of believers especially when God endows an individual with a particular gift over the other. Whereas, each of us should know that no gift is superior to the other Pride has destroyed and will still destroy anyone who is not careful to caution himself. Remember a king by name Uzziah whom God used to do mighty exploit. When he thought, he had arrived, he came down. Hear what the Bible says: “But when he had become powerful, he also become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall. He sinned against the Lord his God by entering the sanctuary of the Lord’s Temple and personally burning incense on the incense altar” 2 Chronicles 26:18 (NLT).
It is important for you to know that, the spirit that dwells in us does not and will never condone any life that is not of God from anyone. Therefore, if you shall have grace from God, you need to reject pride so that God would not resist you. Cut off any link with worldliness among which are: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life. Always remind yourself that the spirit that dwells in you longs only for sweet communion with the Lord. He does not want to share you with anyone. No matter your height, never joke with the smooth relationship you built with the Lord, sustain it by fellowshipping with Him always.
Prayer: My Father, remove from me everything that is making me to lose contact with You. Help me to let go completely things that are not exalting God in and around me in Jesus Christ name.
Rev. Julius Oluwole