James 4:6b-10: On the Shoulders of Giants

One extremely helpful step in doing an in-depth study into any passage of Scripture is to see what godly men of the past have taught concerning the verses in view. This step of Bible study would include the examination of sound Bible commentaries such as Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible and Calvin's Commentaries. In searching Matthew Henry's commentary for information concerning God's opposition to the proud, I found the following useful quote:

[T]he original word, antitassetai, signifies, God’s setting himself as in battle array against them; and can there be a greater disgrace than for God to proclaim a man a rebel, an enemy, a traitor to his crown and dignity, and to proceed against him as such? The proud resists God; in his understanding he resists the truths of God; in his will he resists the truths of God; in his will he resists the laws of God; in his passions he resists the providence of God; and therefore no wonder that God sets himself against the proud. Let proud spirits hear this and tremble— God resists them. Who can describe the wretched state of those who make God their enemy? He will certainly fill with same (sooner or later) the faces of such as have filled their hearts with pride. We should therefore resist pride in our hearts, if we would not have God to resist us.

In addition to studying commentaries and other books, it is also important to gain the insight of current church elders. At Grace Heritage Church I am blessed to be spiritually nourished by expert Bible teaching every week. For those weeks that I must be away from my congregation, we have audio archives of past sermons and Sunday School lessons. These archives are also beneficial to me, so that I may hear preaching concerning Scriptures that were discussed before I moved to Auburn. In listening through some of the archives, searching for additional information concerning God's opposition to the proud, I came across the following observations taught by my pastor, Paul Stith, on May 15, 2005:

4 ways in which God opposes the proud:
1. By refusing to speak to the proud. (Example: Luke 23:8-9, in which Jesus refuses to speak with Herod while Herod was exalting himself above Christ.)
2. By ridiculing their schemes (Example: Psalm 2:1-4, in which God laughs at those who exalt themselves against Him.)
3. By ruining their success (Example: II Chronicles 26, in which God curses King Uzziah’s pride when he taking a priestly job for himself.)
4. By removing their status (Example: Daniel 5, in which Nebuchadnezzar’s loses his sanity and his kingdom due to his pride.)

I am certain that the resources mentioned in this post will be crucial to my rightly handling the Scripture on this coming Lord's Day.