The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.
James 4:6 (KJV)
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Luke 18:14 (KJV)
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
1 Peter 5:5 (KJV)
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
I approached this reading with the intention of exploring the comparisons between these parallel passages and Psalms 147:6. The phrase “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” is widely recognized and embraced by Bible believers. The world’s system also tends to lean naturally in favor of preferring the company of the humble over the proud, at least in the sense of social preference.
I am making comparisons between:
– Meekness and humility
– Wickedness and pride
The similarities between meekness and humility come as no surprise.
In Psalms 147 and 1 Peter 5:5, the Hebrew words for meek and humility both carry the meaning of being “low to the ground.” They can signify a state of depression, but the Hebrew root of these words is associated with caring for the earth, as in tending to a crop. The meek are akin to the working man who eats his bread by the “sweat of thy face.”[1]
I am particularly struck by the parallel between wickedness and pride.
Defining pride as the act of elevating oneself is not difficult. Lucifer lifted himself in pride, declaring, “I will be like the most high.”[2] Pride, which involves lifting oneself up and seeking self-exaltation,[3] is the root of all sin, as seen in the temptation, “ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.“[4] Undoubtedly, placing any god before the one true God[5] is an act of wickedness.
#HumilityAndMeekness #BibleComparisons #WickednessVsPride #SpiritualReflections #ScriptureAnalysis
[1] Genesis 3:19 (KJV)
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
[2] Isaiah 14:14 (KJV)
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
[3] Luke 18:14 (KJV)
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
[4] Genesis 3:5 (KJV)
For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
[5] Exodus 20:3 (KJV)
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
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