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James 4:10 urges, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” Humility is a virtue often praised in Scripture, and here humility is tied to a promise.
The apostle begins the fourth chapter of his epistle by rebuking believers who fight and quarrel with one another: “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” (James 4:1). Selfish ambition is the root of division and is even a reason prayers go unanswered (verse 3). James also states that friendship with the world is enmity against God (verse 4). We cannot love an evil world and love God at the same time.
In James 4:7–10, James issues a series of commands:
submit to God
resist the devil
come near to God
wash your hands
purify your hearts
grieve, mourn, wail
humble yourselves
Humility is the fundamental posture for fellowship with God. When we forsake pride and humble ourselves before the Lord, there is a reward. We can trust that He will lift us up in due time.resist the devil
come near to God
wash your hands
purify your hearts
grieve, mourn, wail
humble yourselves
The Greek word for “lift up” is a form of hypsoō, meaning “to exalt or raise high.” God exalts us to a position of honor when we humble ourselves, not for our glory but for His (Philippians 2:11). Self-exaltation will fail, but God’s exaltation is secure. Jesus says, “All those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 14:11). God grants genuine honor. Worldly accolades quickly fade, but God’s exaltation will be forever.
Several other passages in Scripture correspond to the promise of God in James 4:10:
• Psalm 18:27 – “You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.”
• Proverbs 3:34 – “He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.”
• Isaiah 57:15 – “This is what the high and exalted One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit.’”
• 1 Peter 5:6 – “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
Humility brings us closer to God, while pride creates a barrier between us and God.• Proverbs 3:34 – “He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.”
• Isaiah 57:15 – “This is what the high and exalted One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit.’”
• 1 Peter 5:6 – “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
Humility involves confession of sin, selflessness, and trust. Humility recognizes God’s absolute supremacy and the need to depend on Him. Humility rejoices in the expectation that God will sustain us and give us His grace. Jesus is the Vine, and we are the branches (John 15:5). Whatever fruit we bear, the Vine gets the credit. Apart from Him we can do nothing.
God will lift up the humble. This might involve earthly blessings, but it is ultimately about spiritual position. The trials God’s humble people experience will someday give way to glory. Whatever mistreatment God’s humble ones have endured will be erased by the vindication that comes straight from God Himself.
Jesus humbled Himself for our sakes (Philippians 2:6–8). He “made himself nothing” (Philippians 2:7), but that was followed by glory: “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9).
Humility is not an exercise in self-loathing but a path to eternal peace, love, and joy. Those who lift themselves up are on a shaky pedestal. But God establishes those who humble themselves. He sees, values, and exalts them. “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us” (Psalm 67:1).
