James 4:1–6 (ESV) - What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Proverbs 3:34 (ESV) - Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.

Pride = to elevate oneself OR demean oneself

The Heart of God About Pride
Proverbs 16:5 (ESV) - Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.

Proverbs 16:18 (ESV) - Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 18:12 (ESV) - Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 6:16–19 (ESV) - There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 17haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, 19a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

Proverbs 30:11–14 (ESV) - There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers. 12There are those who are clean in their own eyes but are not washed of their filth. 13There are those—how lofty are their eyes, how high their eyelids lift! 14There are those whose teeth are swords, whose fangs are knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, the needy from among mankind.

Humility = To think biblically about oneself

Romans 12:3 (ESV) - For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment…

Not thinking less of yourself. Rather, it is thinking of yourself less.

The Heart of God About Humility
Proverbs 15:33 (ESV) - The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 22:4 (ESV) - The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.

Proverbs 27:2 (ESV) - Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.

Proverbs 16:19 (ESV) - It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Helpful Ways to Grow in Humility

1. Look for ways to complement a competitor or co-worker – praise their accomplishments

2. Help others often.

3. Admit mistakes and ask forgiveness often.

4. Parents, train up your children in humility by teaching them respect and appreciation for others.

5. Practice delayed gratification.

6. Preach the gospel to yourself every day.

Discussion Questions
1. Define pride and humility in your own words.

2. What’s the difference between self-confidence and pride?

3. Read Proverbs 16:5 and 22:4. What is God’s heart toward pride and humility? Why is this important?

4. Read 2 Chronicles 26:16-21. What do we learn from Uzziah’s act of pride? Read 2 Samuel 7:18-22. What do we learn from David’s act of humility?

5. Review the 6 ways to grow in humility. Which of these resonates most with you? What you add to this list?