This document discusses the importance of humility over pride. It argues that pride destroys individuals and communities, while humility builds them up. It uses several Bible verses to show that God opposes the proud but favors the humble. Jesus is presented as the ultimate example of humility, as he emptied himself to serve others. The document encourages pursuing humility rather than pride in order to find true joy and build up the church.

1. Don’t worry, be happy!
Joy in Humility – Part 4/11
“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. ”
(James 4:6 ESV)
Nik Ball 12th February 2012

2. “Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Proverbs 16:18

3. Key message
Pride destroys and Humility builds.
We need to pursue humility!

4. Chapter 2: 1-2 – Joy found in a humble Church
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any
comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any
affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of
the same mind, having the same love, being in full
accord and of one mind.” ESV

5. Chapter 2: 1-2 – Joy found in a humble Church
“So if there is any
• encouragement in Christ,
• any comfort from love,
• any participation in the Spirit,
• any affection and sympathy,
(Then)complete my joy by
• being of the same mind,
• having the same love,
• being in full accord
• and of one mind.”

6. Chapter 2: 3-4 – Pride destroys the church and
Humility builds the church
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in
humility count others more significant than
yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own
interests, but also to the interests of others.” ESV

7. Chapter 2: 3-4 – Pride destroys the church and
Humility builds the church
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit,
but in humility count others more significant than
yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own
interests, but also to the interests of others.” ESV

8. Pride versus Humility
1. “pride is the greatest enemy and
humility our greatest friend” – John Stott.
2. Satan our greatest example of pride
Jesus our greatest example of humility
3. Pride compares to lesser people
Humility compares with Jesus Christ
4. Pride envies the success of other people
Humility allows us to celebrate others success
5. Pride is all about me
Humility is about Jesus

9. 6. Pride is about my glory
Humility is about Jesus Christ’s glory
7. Pride is I am God
Humility is God is God
8. Pride leads to arrogance
Humility leads to confidence

10. What does God think of pride?
1. From God’s perspective pride is the most serious sin!
2. God hates pride more than anything.–
“.....Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I
hate.” Proverbs 8:13
“Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be
assured, he will not go unpunished.”Proverbs 16:5

11. 6. Pride is about my glory
Humility is about Jesus Christ’s glory
7. Pride is I am God
Humility is God is God
8. Pride leads to arrogance
Humility leads to confidence
9. Pride is independence

12. Why does God hate pride so much?
•“Pride is when sinful human beings aspire to the status and position
of God and refuse to acknowledge their dependence on him.” CJ Mahaney
•About glorification of self, not glorification of God
•God actively opposes the proud.
“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” James 4:6
•God’s mission + God’s motivation = Promise fulfilled
•God’s mission + (God + our motives) = Promise blocked

13. 6. Pride is about my glory
Humility is about Jesus Christ’s glory
7. Pride is I am God
Humility is God is God
8. Pride leads to arrogance
Humility leads to confidence
9. Pride is independence
Humility is dependence
10. Pride is the essence of all sin
Humility is the essence of all joy
11. Pride can be achieved in this life time
Humility needs to be pursued through your lifetime

14. Chapter 2: 5-9 – Jesus the ultimate example of
joy in humility
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in
Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of
God, did not count equality with God a thing to be
grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of
a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And
being found in human form, he humbled himself by
becoming obedient to the point of death, even death
on a cross.” ESV

15. Chapter 2: 9-11 – Jesus the ultimate example of
joy in humility
“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed
on him the name that is above every name, so that
at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in
heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every
tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory
of God the Father.” ESV

16. How do we pursue humility?
•Look to example of Jesus ........
“How can anyone be arrogant when
he stands besides the cross” Carl Henry
•Study doctrines of grace, sin, God
•Start and end of day with God
•Seek the input of those around

17. Application questions?
1. In what ways are you robbed of joy in your life?
2. In what ways are you selfish in your attitude and actions?
3. In what ways are do you think you are better than those around
you?
4. In what ways are you envious of others success............or passed
over?
5. In what ways are you pursuing humility?

18. Summary
•Pride destroys us, those around us, the church and the gospel
•Humility builds us, those around us, the church and the gospel
•True joy is found in humility
•We need to pursue humility!