READ: James 4:1-10
If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.
James 3:13 (NLT)
Humility is a sign of wisdom and intelligence. The scripture above speaks about the humility that comes from wisdom. A novice lacks this kind of wisdom and intelligence. The connection between humility and intelligence is seen in the book of James. Research has also shown that there is a direct correlation between intelligence and humility. Proud people with higher IQs have been found to get lower marks in examinations. Humble people with lower IQs have been shown to perform better in school and in examinations.
When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
Proverbs 11:2
It is wise to be peaceful. A humble person is peaceful, flowing, yielding, obeying and agreeable. Such personalities are more likeable than the stiff-necked, stubborn and unyielding variant. No one is attracted to a difficult person who lacks a basic understanding about basic things. The pride of a person causes him to be rejected over and over again whilst humility causes doors to swing open and stay open.
Notice how the scripture promises the grace of God to a humble person (James 4:6). Grace is unmerited favour and assistance. Humble people are characterized by a certain divine assistance and divine favour. This makes their lives easier with fewer sharp rocks and stumbling stones.
Humility is indeed a display of intelligence. Humility is a display of superior wisdom that comes from above. The King James Version calls it the “meekness of wisdom.” Other Bible versions call it the “humility of wisdom”.
You are not going to get far in life with your hardness and your stubbornness. Pray for genuine humility. When you are genuinely humble, you will be genuinely liked, chosen and promoted. Pride comes before a fall! Humility comes before promotion. Humble yourself and God will lift you up!