Humility is the key to receiving God’s grace and favor. When we humble ourselves before God and others, we open our lives to His empowering presence, His anointing, and His direction. Pride, on the other hand, shuts us off from God’s help and puts us in a place where we are left to our own strength. True humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less, and being willing to serve and honor others. If you want God’s grace to flow in your life, clothe yourself with humility every day and let God’s hand rest upon you. [49:27]
1 Peter 5:5-6 (ESV)
"Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you sense pride creeping in, and how can you intentionally “clothe yourself with humility” in that area today?
Remaining humble keeps us under the mighty hand of God, where we find His protection, authority, and blessing. When we step out in pride, worry, or self-reliance, we move out from under His covering and become vulnerable to the enemy’s attacks. Humility is demonstrated by casting all our anxieties and cares on the Lord, trusting Him fully with every situation. When we surrender our fears and stresses to God, we remain in the place of His favor and strength, safe from the adversary who seeks to devour. [01:01:18]
1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV)
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
Reflection: What is one worry or anxiety you need to cast onto God today, trusting Him to care for you instead of trying to handle it on your own?
Pride is the original sin that made the devil the devil, and it is the very thing he uses to destroy people’s lives. When we allow pride to take root, we step out from God’s protection and into the enemy’s territory. The devil prowls like a roaring lion, seeking those who are vulnerable through pride, self-importance, or self-reliance. True humility is self-forgetfulness—putting God and others first, and not being consumed with ourselves. By resisting pride and choosing humility, we resist the devil and remain safe under God’s hand. [01:16:21]
1 Peter 5:8-9 (ESV)
"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world."
Reflection: When was the last time you recognized pride in your thoughts or actions? How can you practice self-forgetfulness and put God and others first today?
God is the God of all grace, and He promises to restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish those who remain humble before Him. Even after seasons of suffering or difficulty, God’s grace is sufficient to lift us up and set us on a firm foundation. Humility is not weakness; it is the pathway to God’s strength and stability in our lives. When we humble ourselves, God Himself works to build us up, empower us, and secure our future in Him. [01:19:30]
1 Peter 5:10-11 (ESV)
"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: Where do you need God’s restoration or strength in your life? How can you humble yourself before Him and invite His grace into that area today?
Pride often begins as a subtle feeling or thought, but if left unchecked, it can quickly grow and lead us away from God’s best. The key to overcoming pride is to learn to recognize its earliest signs and immediately cast it down, refusing to let it take root in our hearts. Ask God to help you sense pride at its onset, so you can deal with it quickly and remain in a place of humility and usefulness to Him. Humility is the only way to stay under God’s mighty hand and experience His direction, blessing, and miracles in your life. [01:26:42]
James 4:6-7 (ESV)
"But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
Reflection: What are the early warning signs of pride in your life, and how can you ask God to help you recognize and reject them before they take hold?
Humility is the key that unlocks the grace, power, and presence of God in our lives. God’s desire is not just to save us, but to transform us, little by little, as we listen and respond to His voice. He calls us out of our past, forgives us, and gives us a new tomorrow, not because we deserve it, but because of His overwhelming grace. This grace is not just unearned favor—it is divine empowerment, the unction of the Holy Spirit that enables us to live, serve, and walk in God’s will. But this grace is reserved for the humble; God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
History teaches us, as seen in the Azusa Street Revival, that God moves most powerfully where there is deep humility, reverence, and awe. In those meetings, pride and self-importance could not survive. The Spirit dominated, and all flesh was brought low before God. This is the atmosphere where God takes broken people and rebuilds them for His glory. The same principle is true today: if we want to see God’s hand over our lives, our families, and our church, we must clothe ourselves with humility.
Humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less. It is a self-forgetfulness that puts God and others first. Pride, on the other hand, is the original sin—the very essence of the devil. It is the root of self-promotion, insecurity, and the need to control. Pride moves us out from under God’s mighty hand, leaving us vulnerable to the enemy. But humility keeps us under God’s protection, authority, and blessing.
We must learn to recognize the subtle feelings of pride as soon as they arise and cast them down immediately. Humility is a choice, a garment we put on daily. It is seen in our willingness to trust God with our anxieties, to surrender control, and to give Him all the glory for what He does. When we humble ourselves, God promises to lift us up in due time, to establish, strengthen, and settle us. The greatest obstacle to being used by God is pride, but the greatest pathway to His power is humility.
1 Peter 5:5-11 (ESV) — 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
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