The big news this week has been about the ongoing war in Iran and President Trump’s strategy going forward. The president has repeatedly claimed that Iran is negotiating with the United States and is willing to come to terms with his peace plan.
However, the new leadership in Iran has not only denied that any negotiations are taking place between the United States and Iran, but they have already rejected the president’s peace plan.
If being caught in a lie wasn’t embarrassing enough, last week, a state-of-the-art American stealth jet was hit by enemy fire over Iran, just after the president himself bragged about the hundred million dollar stealth F 35 being invisible to any radar and the pride of the American military.
Once again, the president has rejected God’s ways and listened to his evil heart:
- Prideful
- Boastful
- Bearing false witness
The Bible has harsh warnings against prideful and boastful people (Proverbs 16:18, James 4:6). A lesson many conservatives have failed to learn is that God hates pride, lies, and arrogance as much as He does murder and homosexuality (Proverbs 6:16-19).
Scripture warns us that God will humble the proud and arrogant rulers of this world (Isaiah 2:12, Matthew 23:12). In another embarrassing moment for the president this week, the dominantly conservative district where Mar-a-lago is was flipped to Democrat leadership. The president and many conservatives have failed to learn that God values humility over earthly might (Proverbs 3:34, James 4:6).
What Is Humility
Humility is something most people admire, but few are willing to practice. It contradicts the prideful ways of this world. Humility is defined as “Freedom from pride or arrogance: the quality or state of being humble.”
We live in a prideful, power-hungry world that seeks its selfish will. God’s people are called to be different and countercultural (Leviticus 20:26, Romans 12:2). Selfishness is the opposite of being Christlike. Satan and his followers always put themselves first instead of being humble.
That is why the Bible has a lot to say about being humble (Proverbs 22:4, James 4:10). Humility takes our eyes off of ourselves and puts them on others so they are considered first (Romans 12:10; 15:1-2, Galatians 5:13, Ephesians 4:2, Philippians 2:3-4, 1 Peter 5:5-6)
The apostles remembered their Jewish education about why God’s people must be humble to be set apart from this fallen world.
‘Ánāvâ
The Torah tells us how Satan entered the garden and led mankind astray by promising him greatness like God (Genesis 3:1-7). Mankind exchanged humility and eternal life for pride and temporary greatness.
So God had to humble mankind, just like He did Satan and his power-hungry angels in heaven (Isaiah 14:12-15, Ezekiel 28:12-17). God always humbles His proud creations.
The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for humility is ʿănāvâ, and it can also mean “Gentleness, condescension, modesty, or meekness,” depending upon the context it is used in.
God set His people apart from this prideful world to be different (Exodus 19:5-6, Deuteronomy 14:2). That is why Judaism emphasizes humility as a noble virtue:
- Humility
- Repairing the world
- Loving-kindness
- Charity
- Peace
- Truth
- Morality
When Jesus had His earthly ministry, He reminded His followers to be humble (Matthew 5:3; 18:4, Luke 18:14). Jesus rebuked His followers for wanting power and abusing authority (Matthew 20:25-28, Mark 10:42-45).
Our Lord taught that greatness in His Kingdom is humility, not earthly power or money (Matthew 18:1-4, Mark 9:33-37). Our Rabbi explained that God’s Kingdom doesn’t work like this fallen one (John 18:36). Success on earth doesn’t equate to success in heaven or even guarantee we will make it to heaven.
Elon Musk
In other news this week, Elon Musk was found guilty of misleading investors about his purchase of Twitter in 2022. It was a staunch reminder that power and success puff us up and blind us to our own sin (1 Corinthians 8:1-3)
Elon Musk has become another golden boy, too many conservatives who admire his money and earthly success. Yet Musk and many conservatives are quick to criticize the liberals and Democrats despite their own flaws.
Eventually, God will humble us all when we put our hope and faith in the wrong things. Many in the American church have placed their hope in earthly greatness and temporary happiness that comes from other fallen men:
- Prideful
- Power-hungry
- Deceptive
- Greedy
One truth that many conservatives have forgotten is that we all need God’s grace to get to heaven, regardless of political affiliation or nationality. Only a perfect God can judge and divide the good from the bad (Matthew 25:31-46, James 4:12).
We will all stand before God one day and give an account for how we lived and received God’s grace (Romans 14: 10-12, 2 Corinthians 5:10). God’s people are notorious for letting pride and greatness blind and deceive them. That is why we must all be ʿănāvâ!
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