JAMES 4:7-10 "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."
MOTIVATION!
I understand the context of the verses above are not speaking specifically to our approach and study of God’s word. James discusses our desire for pleasure and friendship with the world in the preceding verses (ref. James 4: 1-6). However, I am struck by the fact that we must humble ourselves as we approach the Scriptures. Without an attitude of resisting the devil, drawing near to God, purifying our lives, and humility, we will gain little from our time in His word. When we approach His word in all humility, He will lift us up.
endnotes: Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.