Your observation on the proud and the humble speaks volumes. If a society erects walls to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the result cannot be good. +Isaac the Syrian wote:
"The power to bear Mysteries, which the humble man has received, which makes him perfect in every virtue without toil, this is the very power which the blessed apostles received in the form of fire. For its sake the Saviour commanded them not to leave Jerusalem until they should receive power from on high, that is to say, the Paraclete, which, being interpreted, is the Spirit of consolation. And this is the Spirit of divine visions. Concerning this it is said in divine Scripture: 'Mysteries are revealed to the humble'. The humble are accounted worthy of receiving in themselves this Spirit of revelations Who teaches mysteries"
How can a proud, self centered society even recognize God? I will grant anyone that God as described in the OT would seem to be a "god" of warriors and the proud, but since the Incarnation mankind has had the opportunity to come to know God "better". One of my favorite modern Orthodox Christian writers, Archmandrite Sophrony of blessed memory once wrote:
"The Holy Spirit comes when we are receptive. He does not compel. He approaches so meekly that we may not even notice. If we would know the Holy Spirit we need to examine ourselves in the light of the Gospel teaching, to detect any other presence which may prevent the Holy Spirit from entering into our souls. We must not wait for God to force Himself on us without our consent. God respects and does not constrain man. It is amazing how God humbles Himself before us. He loves us with a tender love, not haughtily, not with condescension. And when we open our hearts to Him we are overwhelmed by the conviction that He is indeed our Father. The soul then worships in love."
Quite an image, eh? Our ineffable, utterly transcendant God, creator of the Universe, approaches use with humilty!