Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5 (NIV)
Why is humility important? Here are a couple of reasons:
1. God opposes the proud.
It is worth taking a moment to let these words sink in. God opposes the proud. If God opposes us, we’re finished. If God be for us, who can be against us? But if God is against us, what hope do we have?
God opposes the proud. He cannot bear to see pride in his children. Arrogance will eventually bring us under his fatherly discipline.
2. God gives grace to the humble.
We sometimes use the expression: “Money makes money.” You have to have some before you can make some. Well, it’s the same principle here. Humility is a grace that attracts more grace.
Pride closes the door to spiritual growth, but humility opens the door of your life to more of God’s grace. To the humble, God gives patience, and peace, and gentleness. The fruit of the Spirit grows in the soil of humility. Humility is the key to spiritual growth.
3. God will lift you up.
“God gives grace to the humble.” What a marvelous promise! God leads each of us on a path with many twists and turns. When you are faced with surprises and disappointments that God has allowed in your life, humble yourself. Accept what He allows. Because if you do that, God Himself will lift you up in due time.
Which of these reasons seem most attractive to you today? Why?