My Strength is Made Perfect in Weakness
The world discourages low self-esteem and preaches that people should possess a good self-worth and high self-esteem, the higher the better. But when self-esteem in Bible students becomes inflated to the point of hubris or pride, spiritual growth and revelation of Truth are severely curtailed and strife prevails. What does YAHWEH in fact teach about this in His Inspired Scriptures? And is the Holy Spirit even able to work with a person pre-conversion who has an inflated sense of self much less impart its full power and Truth to a Holy Spirit-filled believer who is prideful and boastful?
Over the years, we have observed YAHWEH’s Holy Spirit ceasing to reveal new Truth or any Truth at all to seekers who in some cases had received enormous spiritual revelations to begin with or have spent years studying the Bible. We have even been unable to remain in congregations with these people due to their inability to embrace new Truth revealed to others and not themselves and the strife which inevitably resulted. Even spiritual discussions among fellow Bible students have often seemed to end in argument. What is going on here?
Through prayer and Bible study, YAHWEH has revealed what ties all these cases together. The common denominator appears to be excessive pride, especially in assembly eldership. Strife and dissension often accompany prideful attitudes and can make a healthy assembly or spiritual discussion impossible. And even worse, pride seems to block the Holy Spirit from imparting Truth and otherwise working in a seeker’s life with its tremendous power.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 details the spiritual regression of those who do not receive the love of the Truth offered by YAHWEH and to whom He therefore sends strong delusion. Even beyond just no new truth, we have observed prideful saints and Bible students eventually being led into all kind of lies, spiritual delusion, and false doctrine.
It is in the serious spiritual interest of all saints of YAHWEH Elohim to have full access to the incredible power of the Holy Spirit and to give all glory to YAHWEH and hence, the importance of this message.
The original sin of pride caused Lucifer to be banished from YAHWEH’S presence and set in motion all that has followed.
Ezekiel 28:12 “Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Sovereign YAHWEH: “You were the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
13 You were in Eden, the garden of Elohim; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes Was prepared for you on the day you were created.
14 “You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of Elohim; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones.
15 You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you.
16 “By the abundance of your trading You became filled with violence within, And you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing Out of the mountain of Elohim; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the fiery stones.
17 “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, That they might gaze at you.
Isaiah 14:12 ” How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations!
13 For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of Elohim; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north;
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’
15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.
16 “Those who see you will gaze at you, And consider you, saying: ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, Who shook kingdoms?
Then after the creation of humans, Lucifer appeared to Eve in the form of a serpent and deceived her by appealing to her pride and fleshly lusts.
Genesis 3:4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.
5 “For Elohim knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like Elohim, knowing good and evil.”
6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
Apostle John in 1 John discusses the same human sins of pride and lust which led to Eve’s deception by the serpent in the Garden. Eve’s flesh and eyes lusted for the attractive fruit, and her pride desired to be wise like YAHWEH. John also warns that pride and lusts are of the world, not of the Father, and must be abandoned in favor of doing the will of Elohim.
1 John 2:16-17 “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of Elohim abides with Him forever.”
So pride was integral to both the casting out of Lucifer and the Fall of man in the Garden because it is not of Abba YAHWEH but of the world. And apparently pride is the original flaw of both the fallen angels led by hasatan and humans. We’ve already seen that YAHWEH has condemned the pride of Lucifer/hasatan. In myriad Scripture passages YAHWEH makes it plain as day that He also despises human pride.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
James 4:6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “Elohim resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of YAHWEH, and He will lift you up.
Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.
Isaiah 2:12 For the day of YAHWEH of hosts Shall come upon everything proud and lofty, Upon everything lifted up And it shall be brought low –
Proverbs 6:16 These six things YAHWEH hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.
All Bible students and followers of YAHWEH’S Way are prone to pride and must be careful not to take pride even in the awareness of the pride problem itself. After all, YAHWEH repeatedly states in His Word the lowly and unworthy position of human beings including His saints, compared to His omnipotence, holiness, and perfection.
He calls all humans “an unclean thing” and says “all their righteousness is as filthy rags.” (Isaiah 64:6)
Romans 3:10 reiterates “there is none righteous, no not one.” And Psalm 53:23 is even more definitive:
Psalm 53:2 Elohim looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek Elohim.
3 Every one of them has turned aside; They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.
Galatians 6:3 puts it bluntly: “For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.”
Again, compared to YAHWEH’s perfection, omnipotence, and holiness, all human beings are infinitesimally weak, small, and sinful. This is why human pride of any type is completely misplaced. Humans, however righteous and faithful to YAHWEH, are clothed in weak, human flesh full of tempting passions and lusts. As long as we inhabit this sinful flesh we remain imprisoned in it, leaving no room for pride for any reason.
As believers, we are to find our worth in our relationship with Messiah and our identity as His followers. Psalm 139:14 declares, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made,” highlighting His divine craftsmanship. Ephesians 2:10 reminds saints that they are “YAHWEH’s masterpiece, created in Messiah YAHWEHshua for good works.”
Additionally, Luke 12:6-7 assures believers that they are more valuable to YAHWEH than many sparrows “and that “not one of them is forgotten before Elohim.” 1 Peter 2:9-10 puts it eloquently: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light, who once were not a people but are now the people of Elohim, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”
It is vital for saints to base their self-worth on YAHWEH’s estimation of them as seen in these passages while avoiding any spillover into pride and self-righteousness. They have not been chosen because they’re special but because of YAHWEH’s grace, mercy, and divine purpose. They must always be mindful that even as saints of the Most High, their “righteousness is as filthy rags.”
It was during personal Bible study and meditating on my favorite Psalm 119 that I came across a verse that immediately captivated me and led me to this study of human pride:
Psalm 119:141 I am small (6810) and despised (959): yet I do not forget thy precepts.
And when I looked up the 2 noted Hebrew words, I was surprised to see exactly what they mean:
6810 small comes from 6819 and means few in number, ignoble, younger, least, poor, weak, despised, to be small, brought low, little ones, to be or grow insignificant, little, young.
959 despised is defined as to disesteem, despise, contemptible, disdain, vile person, to hold in contempt, to accord little worth to something.
Compared to YAHWEH’s surpassing greatness, man is very weak, vile, and insignificant. And while spiritual conversion improves the believer’s relationship with Him, He still makes it clear in His Word that all men including saints are weak sinners.
In many Bible passages, YAHWEH exalts the small and humble. For example, He chose Saul, who came from the smallest tribe of Benjamin and the least family in the tribe, as Israel’s first king. YAHWEH chooses people to work through not because of inherent talents or specialness, but rather as an act of his sovereign grace and for His own purposes and always ultimately to glorify Himself. Many Bible heroes are flawed, weak sinners:
Abraham: YAHWEH called him from a pagan background, demonstrating that His choice was based on divine initiative rather than Abraham’s spiritual strength.
The disciples: Yah’shua selected ordinary men, including fishermen and a tax collector,
to be his apostles and spread the evangel.
Moses: Despite having a speech impediment and committing murder, YAHWEH chose Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.
David: YAHWEH called this repentant man who committed murder and adultery “a man after My own heart.”
Paul: Despite his infirmities and his past as a persecutor of The Way, YAHWEH chose Paul to be a significant prophet of The Way to the Gentiles, showing that weakness or past actions do not limit His choices.
YAHWEH actually prefers to work through those considered foolish, weak, lowly, or despised by the world to highlight His power and ensure that all glory goes to Him and not human ability or merit.
1 Corinthians 1:26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.
27 But YAHWEH has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and YAHWEH has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;
28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised YAHWEH has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,
29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.
And there are many accounts of the rich, powerful, and prideful being put in their proper lowly places by YAHWEH. The story of Nebuchadnezzar is a prime example.
Daniel 4:30 The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?”
31 While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you!
32 And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.”
33 That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.
34 And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom is from generation to generation.
35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, “What have You done?”
36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me.
37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.
While saints are to remain humble in this age, YAHWEH promises to exalt and glorify them in His coming Millennial Kingdom. In Jeremiah 30:19, He vows: “I will multiply them and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.”
The Hebrew word translated few means to lessen, to cause or make small or few, and the word translated small, as seen earlier, means to be small, ignoble, brought low, little ones, and to be or grow insignificant. In this current age, saints must remain humble and lowly and esteem all others better than themselves. This age is not the time to be prideful, haughty or arrogant because we study the Scriptures or for any other reason. Saints should focus on being small, ignoble, and insignificant and realize this will be rewarded by YAHWEH in the ages to come!
Even Apostle Paul himself lamented his fleshly prison with its weakness and sinfulness.
Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.
15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.
16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good.
17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.
19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.
20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good.
22 For I delight in the law of YAHWEH according to the inward man.
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
25 I thank YAHWEH — through YAHWEHshua Messiah our Sovereign! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of YAHWEH, but with the flesh the law of sin.
Messiah railed against the Pharisees, who, along with the Sadducees were the religious establishment at that time, for their many faults and sins. The root of much of their misconduct was pride and self-righteousness.
Matthew 23:1 Then Yah’shua spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples,
2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.
3 “Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.
4 “For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
5 “But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.
6 “They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,
7 “greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’
8 “But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Messiah, and you are all brethren.
9 “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.
10 “And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Messiah.
11 “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 “And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Mark 12:38 Then He said to them in His teaching, “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces,
39 “the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts,
40 “who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”
Luke 11:43 “Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.
44 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them.”
And human pride invariably leads to boastfulness so lets look at just a few of the many Bible passages in which YAHWEH severely warns against boastfulness. In Romans, Paul warns believers against pride and arrogance because of Israel’s rejection and their being grafted in. So followers of The Way of YAHWEH are not to take pride in the very fact that they obeyed the salvation plan including receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is all of and from YAHWEH and not ourselves and He must receive all glory!
Romans 11:17 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree,
18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.
And since believers are saved by faith and not works alone, Paul declares that there is no cause for boasting since faith is a gift from YAHWEH Himself (as seen in many New Testament passages).
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as Elohim has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
When Apostle Paul tells us to be of the same mind toward one another, as used above, he is commanding us to connect and bond with all people based on our common humanity. Absolutely no one is above anyone else! (AKA Don’t Act Like Your Shit Don’t Stink!)
Romans 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith.
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.
29 Or is He the YAHWEH of the Jews only? Is He not also the Elohim of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also,
30 since there is one YAHWEH who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.
31 Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.
The Bible consistently warns against self-seeking and pride. These sins quite obviously do not achieve the Love of YAHWEH as shown clearly in 1 Corinthians 13:4-5: love “does not envy, does not parade itself, is not puffed up, and does not seek its own.”
Pride and boasting are included in the following 2 lists of sins YAHWEH hates.
Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain Elohim in their knowledge, Elohim gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,
30 backbiters, haters of Elohim, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;
32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of YAHWEH, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
2 Timothy 3:1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of YAHWEH,
5 having a form of righteousness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
And Proverbs 27 makes it abundantly clear that we are to allow others to speak well of us, and not ourselves.
Proverbs 27:2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips.
There are, in fact, only a few things YAHWEH does permit believers to boast about. One is that we know and understand Him.
Jeremiah 9:23 Thus says YAHWEH: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am YAHWEH, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says YAHWEH.
The second topic believers may boast about is physical infirmity. Apostle Paul experienced supernatural meetings with YAHWEH on several occasions but still chose to boast only in his weakness and physical infirmity. He had the spiritual insight to realize that YAHWEH had allowed him physical infirmities in order to keep him humble in the face of enormous spiritual revelation.
The Greek word for infirmity used here means weakness or sickness of body or mind.
2 Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with YAHWEH three times that it might depart from me.
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Messiah may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Messiah’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Since the Holy Spirit, the power of Father and Son, is what reveals Truth to Bible students and generally strengthens them for every good work, it becomes critical for saints to access the Holy Spirit as much as possible. Apostle Paul himself, whom believers are to imitate, in the above passage vows to boast in his infirmities, that the power of Messiah may rest upon him. It should be the goal of every saint to enjoy the power of Messiah resting upon him also!
Paul describes his unspecified physical ailment as a thorn in his flesh allowed by YAHWEH to prevent him becoming proud and exalted due to the abundance of spiritual revelations given him. And when he asks the Sovereign 3 times to remove it, he is simply told “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
YAHWEH’s saints are absolutely worthless without the power of the Holy Spirit working in all spheres of their lives. A proud attitude about ourselves as believers and Bible students is the opposite of what pleases Abba YAHWEH and severely prevents spiritual revelation. If the goal is to please YAHWEH and enjoy His many blessings, then the righteous saint will know to stay humble and ensure that He receives all glory.
The 3rd acceptable reason YAHWEH gives humans for boasting is to glory in tribulations. While boasters invariably boast about their strengths and accomplishments, YAHWEH commands us to brag instead about our trials and weaknesses. Similar to boasting in knowing YAHWEH and in our infirmities, there are numerous Scriptures encouraging believers to glory (or boast) and rejoice in their sufferings and tribulations. Here are 2 of many passages which strike a sharp contrast with the worldly, carnal human response when trouble appears.
Romans 5:3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of YAHWEH has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
1 Peter 4:13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Messiah’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
In addition to avoiding pride and self-seeking, saints of The Way are commanded to practice building others up. Philippians 2:3-4 says this beautifully: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but each in lowliness of mind let esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
Paul goes on in the next 5 verses to describe Messiah’s willing sacrifice of His deity to humble Himself by taking on human flesh. And of course, every saint must strive for the goal of emulating Messiah in all ways.
Philippians 2:1-10 Let this mind be in you which was also in Messiah YAHWEHshua,
6 who, being in the form of Elohim, did not consider it robbery to be equal with Elohim,
7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the stake.
9 Therefore YAHWEH also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name.
In Matthew 20:28, Messiah states that “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
In Mark 10:35-45 Messiah clearly responds to disciples asking for a guaranteed seat beside Him when He is glorified:
Mark 10:42 But Yah’shua called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
43 “Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.
44 “And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.
45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Mark 9:35 And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”
Two good passages urging believers to build others up are Ephesians 4:29 and 1 Thessalonians 5:11.
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification (building up), that it may impart grace to the hearers.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore comfort each other and edify (build up) one another, just as you also are doing.
Loving and serving others is the 2nd great commandment after loving YAHWEH completely. And if believers become prideful and puffed up about serving others, then they have surely missed the whole point!
Saints are commanded to emulate Messiah as they practice selflessness and humility and should focus on the needs of others instead of themselves. Here are a few of many passages describing the process of dying to self.
Matthew 25:35 ‘for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;
36 ‘I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Sovereign, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?
38 ‘When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?
39 ‘Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’
40 “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
Besides limiting spiritual revelation, pride can hinder man’s desire to seek and find the true Elohim in the first place. Pride stems from overconcern or preoccupation with self. It is self-idolatry and self-worship. As with Lucifer and Eve, it contends for supremacy over YAHWEH Himself. While other sins separate us from Him, pride attempts to elevate the sinner above YAH. Jude 4b says that certain men “deny the only Sovereign Elohim and our Sovereign YAHWEHshua Messiah.” People who usurp the position of Messiah Himself commit spiritual suicide!
In fact, Messiah makes it plain that believers make a big mistake if they become puffed up about their spiritual position and knowledge. When His disciples ask Him who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven, He warns them in Matthew 18:2-4 that only a child-like faith will achieve YAHWEH’s righteousness and qualify one to even enter the kingdom of heaven!
Matthew 18:2 Then Yah’shua called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them,
3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
John the Baptist puts it this way in John 3:30: “He must increase but I must decrease.”
There seems to be a human tendency when receiving spiritual Truth, even small amounts in some cases, to get a big head full of arrogance and inflated self-worth. Spiritual Truth can be profound and the human tendency is to credit oneself including one’s intelligence instead of giving all glory to YAHWEH.
In James 3:13-16 the half-brother of Messiah distinguishes the world’s wisdom from divine wisdom. He states that worldly wisdom is characterized by bitter envy and self-seeking, both flowing from pride. The Greek word translated envy here indicates a jealousy which is tormented by another’s good fortune and actively tries to diminish the good in another person. This type of envy results directly from pride which involves self-fixation as opposed to the selflessness Messiah commands followers to practice.
And the phrase bitter envy in James 3:14 refers to a harsh, resentful attitude toward others because of their achievements or abilities. When individuals are excessively proud of their own achievements they may become hyper-sensitive to those of others, leading to feelings of envy and resentment. To the prideful, especially in a leadership position, everything becomes a competition with the goal to stay on top and above others, more resembling a cult leader than a biblical elder.
The story of Cain and Abel early in the Scriptures highlights this problem of bitter envy and a harsh, resentful attitude toward one’s brother and its terrible consequence of either literal or figurative murder. Its occurrence at the very beginning of human life on earth demonstrates that pride and envy and their negative consequences are natural to carnal man without the Holy Spirit. Cain was of course born to Adam and Eve after their Fall from grace and so he was born in sin (Psalm 51:5).
Genesis 4:1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from YAHWEH.”
2 Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to YAHWEH.
4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And YAHWEH respected Abel and his offering,
5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.
6 So YAHWEH said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?
7 “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”
8 Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.
Abel and his offering of the firstborn of his flock and its fat were respected by YAHWEH and Cain and his offering of the fruit of the ground (no mention of firstfruits) were not. So Cain, said to be “of the wicked one” (1 John 3:12), murdered his brother because “his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.” The Scriptures emphasize over and over the importance of loving, and not hating others, especially spiritual brethren!
In Matthew 5:21-22, Messiah equates hatred of brethren with physical murder and judgment in the Lake of Fire. He compares anger without cause toward others to physically murdering them.
This is serious business and a prime example of magnification and establishment of the Law by Messiah, and not its abolition! It also shows just how much YAHWEH despises ill treatment of others and the dire need of saints to overcome pride and envy and their awful consequences.
Matthew 5:21 ” You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’
22 “But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.
In 1 John 3:10-12 YAHWEH gives another strong warning against hateful treatment of brethren through Apostle John:
1 John 3:10 In this the children of YAHWEH and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of YAHWEH, nor is he who does not love his brother.
11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,12 not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.
John bluntly says that anyone who does not love others, especially spiritual brethren, demonstrates he is a child of the devil!
The Greek word translated self-seeking in James 3 mentioned above can also mean ambition, rivalry, contention, strife, and faction, which shows how tied together self-seeking and pride are with arguments, strife and factions. It becomes quite obvious that there is nothing good and everything problematic to come from human pride and self-seeking, especially in a spiritual assembly. Instead of loving, encouraging, and building each other up, such an assembly will fall into all manner of strife and factions and will stray far from the ideal “one mind and one accord.”
YAHWEH does not envision one man dominating a congregation. In fact, the Scriptures support multiple elders in order to help avoid a dictatorship. Instead He variously gives out spiritual gifts to members so that they need each other in order to function properly and receive new Truth. Apostle Paul eloquently compares the ideal spiritual assembly to the interdependent function of human body parts and organs, all essential but none able to exist on its own. (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). Most importantly, each member may receive spiritual revelation and new doctrine which can then be studied out prayerfully by all as the Holy Spirit leads.
1 Peter 1:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of YAHWEH.
1 Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
1 Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,
9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,
10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
And Paul states in 1 Corinthians 12:22-24 that the members of the body, referring to both spiritual and physical bodies, which are thought to be weaker and less honorable are actually most necessary and most deserving of honor! How opposite of the way the world of carnal men works with its celebration of strength and shunning of weakness. These attitudes in the world lead to severe lack of compassion, empathy, kindness, and true brotherly love!
Apostle Paul in his first letter to the assembly at Corinth states well the problem of assemblies led by inept, prideful eldership and the factions, contentions and lack of cohesion which inevitably result. An assembly risks becoming a cult when the leader is proud and wants to control everything and take all credit.
1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Sovereign YAHWEHshua Messiah, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.
12 Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Messiah.”
13 Is Messiah divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
James in his epistle says the world’s wisdom of bitter envy and self-seeking is earthly, sensual, and demonic and leads to “confusion and every evil thing.” (James 3:15-16) Apostle Paul declares that “we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing….. but the wisdom of YAHWEH in a mystery.” (1 Corinthians 2:6-7). Mature believers understand that they must avoid worldly wisdom and instead gain dominion over the world, the flesh, and hasatan.
Along the same lines, what does YAHWEH have to say about human wisdom and intellect and whether they lead people to find, know, and understand Him? Is He looking for intellectuals to follow Him? And does that mean the Bible can only be understood by theologians and philosophers? So does it all mean that children and those of lower intellectual abilities are unable to find and worship YAHWEH Elohim?
No, not at all! The Bible is clear that YAHWEH is NOT to be found through human wisdom and intellect. He works through His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, and He desires for it to reveal all Truth to those empowered by it instead of treating the Scriptures as an intellectual exercise that can puff up. In order for the Holy Spirit and its power to operate and not human wisdom, YAHWEH has designed the Scriptures to be supernaturally understood and not with the human, carnal mind. He made the Holy Spirit and its revelation of Truth essential to finding Him, knowing and understanding Him, and worshipping Him.
1 Corinthians 2:10 But Elohim has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of YAHWEH.
11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of YAHWEH except the Spirit of YAHWEH.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from YAHWEH, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by YAHWEH.
13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of YAHWEH, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Apostle Paul, who wrote one-third of the New Testament and had every worldly reason to boast, downplays his human intellect while giving all glory for his effective preaching to YAHWEH and His Spirit:
1 Corinthians 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of YAHWEH.
2 For I determined not to know anything among you except YAHWEHshua Messiah and Him crucified.
3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of YAHWEH.
6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
7 But we speak the wisdom of YAHWEH in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which YAHWEH ordained before the ages for our glory,
8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Sovereign of glory.
Many people over the centuries have attempted to understand the Inspired Scriptures by human abilities without the operation of the Holy Spirit but YAHWEH emphasizes that this is a futile endeavor.
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the stake is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of YAHWEH.
19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not Elohim made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For since, in the wisdom of Elohim, the world wisdom did not know YAHWEH, it pleased YAHWEH through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;
23 but we preach Messiah crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,
24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Messiah the power of YAHWEH and the wisdom of YAHWEH.
25 Because the foolishness of YAHWEH is wiser than men, and the weakness of YAHWEH is stronger than men.
26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.
27 But YAHWEH has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and YAHWEH has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;
28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised YAHWEH has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,
29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.
30 But of Him you are in Messiah YAHWEHshua, who became for us wisdom from YAHWEH — and righteousness and sanctification and redemption —
31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in YAHWEH.
And about using many commentaries written by fallible men, as some conduct their Bible study, YAHWEH has the following to say about many books besides His Word:
Ecclesiastes 12:12 And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear Elohim and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.
A Bible passage quoted earlier bears repeating here:
Matthew 18:1 At that time the disciples came to Yah’shua, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2 Then Yah’shua called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them,
3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Again, instead of arrogance and self-seeking, YAHWEH commands us to remain as humble and small as a little child, needy and dependent on Him and not ourselves.
Luke 10:21 In that hour Yah’shua rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Sovereign of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.
And in fact, Messiah promises to not only reveal greater truth to those who remain humble, but to do many great miracles for those who display humility and faith, as chronicled in the Evangels.
Mark 5:24 So Yah’shua went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.
25 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years,
26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.
27 When she heard about Yah’shua, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment.
28 For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”
29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.
30 And Yah’shua, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?”
31 But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ”
32 And He looked around to see her who had done this thing.
33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.
34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”
And what does YAHWEH teach in His Word about teachers and calling oneself a teacher? He has much to say about it and as stated earlier, railed against the Pharisees for coveting to be called Rabbi or Teacher. The overriding point is that believers are to allow Messiah and His Holy Spirit to be the ultimate teachers.
John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
John 16:13 “However, when It, the Spirit of truth, has come, It will guide you into all truth; for It will not speak on His own authority, but whatever It hears It will speak; and It will tell you things to come.
1 John 2:27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.
There is nothing wrong with teachers and teaching in YAHWEH’s assembly. Teaching is one of many spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit. The point here is to teach with the proper humble attitude and not with the desire for personal honor and accolades. Instead of coveting the limelight for themselves, saints and especially elders must encourage the talents and gifting of their brethren. All are called to build each other up and reduce self-aggrandizement. The Holy Spirit must be allowed to fully operate and YAHWEH must receive all glory!
As we approach the end of the age with its intensification of spiritual activity, it becomes more critical than ever to be on the right side of things. Both YAHWEH’s Holy Spirit and the unholy spirit of hasatan will be working overtime. Healthy spiritual discernment will be essential to avoid the snares of the enemy and harness the full power of the Holy Spirit.
When Yah’shua’s disciples asked him what would be the sign of His coming and of the end of the age, His first words were: “Take heed that no one deceives you.” Deception runs rampant in this time. Everything from food labels to political movements are full of lies and deception and we know that hasatan is a liar and the father of it. MAGA is actually the feminine form of the Latin term magus which means magician, wise man, wizard.
As students of the Inspired Scriptures, let us never be faulted for distorting them and fabricating false doctrines, as repeatedly warned against in YAHWEH’s Word. Apostle Peter issues a strong warning about misinterpreting Scripture, stating in his second epistle that some of Paul’s writings are difficult to understand, causing “untaught and unstable people to twist/pervert” his writings and the rest of Scripture “to their own spiritual loss.” (2 Peter 3:16) Again, the Bible can only be properly understood through the power of the Holy Spirit which is given to believers to lead them into all truth and righteousness.
Just as Messiah and his disciples performed many miracles during His short ministry on earth, believers at the end of the age must be prepared to do that and even more:
John 14:12 He who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also. He will do greater works than these because I am going to My Father.
And may our prayer be for complete reliance upon YAHWEH to work through our weakness to perform His perfect will in these last days and may He receive all glory. And may we remember that we can do all things through Messiah who strengthens us because His strength is made perfect in our weakness.
In conclusion, I repeat Paul’s words about his humble reliance upon YAHWEH’s incredible power activated through his own weakness:
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 Concerning this thing (physical ailment) I pleaded with the Sovereign three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Messiah may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Messiah’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
All praise and glory to YAHWEH Elohim!
HalleluYah
(8-25)