Pastor Tricia's Ramblings

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Do you ever just look around and wonder what in the world is going on?

Has everyone lost their minds?

There’s so much division. So much anger. So much pride and posturing. You don’t have to scroll long on social media, walk through a store, or even sit in some churches without feeling the tension and noticing the disunity.

And it’s not just out there in the “world.” It’s here—among us. Among believers. Even within our own hearts.

James 4:1 asked it plainly: “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” That’s a hard pill to swallow. The root of so much conflict is not what other people are doing to us—it’s what we want from them. What we feel entitled to. What we think we deserve.

The problem?

Selfishness.

The result?

Hostility.

But James doesn’t just diagnose the problem—he gives us the solution.

And it’s not flashy. It’s not complex.

It’s humility.

James 4:7–10 says:

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

That’s… intense.

James doesn’t ease into this call to humility—he goes all in.

Grieve. Mourn. Wail.

He’s not saying we should live in perpetual sadness.

But he is saying that repentance—real repentance—requires brokenness.

It’s the kind of humility that stops blaming others and starts owning our part.

It’s the kind of humility that sees sin not as a mistake to overlook, but a fracture in our intimacy with God.

It’s the kind of humility that doesn’t justify behavior, but falls on grace.

And what does God do with that kind of humility?

He lifts us up.

James 4:6 reminds us, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

When we walk in pride, we find resistance from God.

But when we humble ourselves, we find favor.

We find grace.

C.S. Lewis said it perfectly:

“As long as you are proud, you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and on people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see what is above you.”

So… where are you looking?

Are you looking down on people? On the world? On the church? On yourself?

Or are you looking up—toward God?

When you look around for answers, where are your eyes fixed?

Because James says clearly:

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (v. 7)

That’s not a suggestion. It’s a call to action.

Submission is your spiritual defense.

When we stop fighting for control and start yielding to God, we don’t just find peace—we find power.

The enemy flees not when we shout at him, but when we submit to God.

Submission is not weakness.

It’s warfare.

And then James gives us this stunning promise:

“Come near to God and He will come near to you.” (v. 8)

Let that sink in for a second.

God is not distant. He’s not cold. He’s not hiding.

He’s near. He longs to be near.

But He waits for us to take that first step.

Why?

Because intimacy with God is a choice.

He doesn’t force Himself on us. He invites us.

He draws near as we draw near.

That’s not a one-time moment.

That’s a lifestyle.

It’s repentance that’s not just emotional—it’s transformational.

It’s surrender that doesn’t just show up on Sundays, but walks with God through every room, every conversation, every decision.

James then shifts gears and says:

“Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it… Who are you to judge your neighbor?” (vv. 11–12)

Ouch!

Just when we think we’ve got the humility thing down, James calls out our mouths.

Because here’s the truth: Pride shows up in how we talk about people.

Humility is not just how you think about yourself in relation to God—it’s how you treat others in light of God’s mercy.

When we gossip, slander, or sit in judgment over someone, we’re acting as if we’re above them—as if we’re the judge.

But there is only one Lawgiver and Judge.

And it’s not us.

Humility reminds us: We are all in need of grace.

So here’s where I land today—maybe where you need to land too:

✔️ Am I submitting my whole life to God?

✔️ Am I resisting the enemy, or am I resisting the Spirit?

✔️ Am I drawing near to God with a repentant, humble heart?

✔️ Am I walking in grace toward others instead of judgment?

This isn’t about religion.

It’s about relationship.

God isn’t looking for you to clean yourself up before coming to Him.

He’s looking for you to come near.

To fall into His mercy.

To trust Him with your pride, your pain, your confusion, and even your conflict.

Humility may not be popular. But it’s powerful.

Because when we humble ourselves before the Lord—He lifts us up.

And maybe today, that’s exactly what you need.