03-09-24-ENG.

Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.

James 1:21

The kingdom value of gentleness has nothing to do with submitting to anyone and everyone around you. It has to do with yielding to the legitimate authority who is ultimately over you, which is God. It is seeking to align all you think, do, and say under the overarching rule of God in every area of your life. One of the greatest challenges I have when it comes to counseling people as their pastor is the overwhelming number who seem unwilling to submit to God’s spiritual authority. They may not want to give up premarital sex. Or getting drunk. Or pornography. I can explain the biblical principles on whatever area they are facing, but if they are not willing to apply those spiritual principles personally, there is no impact. Once a person chooses to live with a rebellious spirit, that person has also chosen to cancel the work of God in their lives. Now, the term rebellious spirit may seem strong to you.

Perhaps you don’t consider making decisions outside of the rule of God as rebellion. Maybe you look at it like independence or even personal wisdom. But whenever someone chooses their own way over God’s way, it is known as rebellion to God. It is living with the idea or concept that you know better than the God who made you and who also made the universe in which you live. The only thing that could lead to thinking that way is personal pride. Personal wisdom is personal pride if it does not align under God’s overarching rule. Pride can only be present in the absence of humility and gentleness. The absence of humility and gentleness brings chaos. But the presence of humility and gentleness to God brings calm. In fact, it’ll bring calm to such a degree that it is able to “save” or “sanctify” individuals in the midst of personal life struggles (James 1:21). A gentle person bows low before God so that he or she can stand tall among people. It is in an individual’s willingness to bow before God where the greatest power can be found.

The largest players on any football team are the offensive linemen. They are the biggest, strongest, and fiercest. But if you’ll notice, they are also the ones who have to go the lowest when it’s time to run a play. The reason why they go so low and dig their knuckles into the ground is for leverage. It is in doing so that they access their power. Similarly, when you bow before God in humility, you will discover your greatest spiritual leverage and strength. You will be able to spot the opponent’s tactics more easily than ever before. You will be able to tackle the enemy in the power and might of Christ. This is God’s revealed will for you. You are to live as someone who overwhelmingly conquers in Jesus’ name.

But you only do this through a heart that is willing to go low through surrender and humility before God. Living with a heart of gentleness is the fastest way to finding out what true strength looks like. That statement may seem contrary to anything you might believe or think, but that is why God asks us to walk by faith and not by our own human logic. Faith is God’s love language. Walking by faith in what He reveals to be true allows you to experience His power in your life. You will see Him do things both in you and through you that you never even dreamed possible. 

Reaction:

Describe the difference between personal wisdom rooted in your own thoughts and godly wisdom. Define rebellion in your own terms. What is one thing you can do to cultivate the kingdom value of gentleness in your life to a higher degree? 

Prayer:

Jesus, my relationship to You rests in humility. You are my Savior, and You rule over all. Forgive me for those times when pride raises its head within me and seeks to take over my thoughts and actions. Forgive me for living in rebellion to You in those times when I have done just that. Help me honor You with a heart of humility. In Your name, amen.