Each year Lake Superior State University in the US publishes a list of words they believe should be banished because they’re so annoying. Topping their list in 2013 was selfie, a term that received more nominations than any other. Other contenders included twerking, hashtag, and twittersphere. This list of words is a reminder that language is always changing and can persuade, impress, or annoy us.
What words would you like to banish from your life? If James were to make a list, it’s likely he would include self-confidence. After he encouraged believers in Jesus to draw near to God and not to judge others (James 4:1-10), James presented the following characteristics of a prideful person who’s far from God:
He’s self-assertive. “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year” (James 4:13).
He’s self-centered. “We will do business there and make a profit” (James 4:13)
He’s a self-made man who couldn’t possibly know what the future holds. “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone” (James 4:14)
His boastful self-confidence clouds the reality that his life is limited. He desperately needs a perspective that’s centered on Jesus and affects his entire life (James 4:15).
While self-confidence in itself isn’t wrong, self-confident boasting reveals a lack of trust in God and dependence on Him. May our confidence spring from the relationship we have with Jesus and all He’s done for us—not what we’ve done or achieved. Only as we humble ourselves before God will we experience godly confidence—the kind that doesn’t need to be banished! (James 4:10).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Exodus 15:22-27; 17:1-7
More:
Read Proverbs 19:21, Acts 18:21, and Romans 1:10 to see what it means to have confidence in God and depend on Him.
Next:
In what situation(s) do you struggle with boastful self-confidence? How will you replace it with God-honoring trust and dependence?
Gary Shultz on February 11, 2016 at 6:03 am
Marvin, since you asked, I’m rather convinced I will be struggling with pride until I die. I may even be proud of the way I went. For the most part all I have to do to correct my misguided self, is stand before a holy God, that’s fear, and then know He really, really, really loves me, that’s love and trust. That’s also knowing He has my back and my future, which is the gift I do so look forward too. Come visit me there, Humble Pie St.
spirit3885 on February 11, 2016 at 8:04 am
Amen
vmarip on February 11, 2016 at 9:07 am
Why do you want to hold on to such worldly lowering things as pride and vanity ( which is what “self-confidence” really is) It keeps you from seeing God from your heart instead of your mind, and when you actually see who your really are in Jesus Christ; you live in humbleness, because no amount of self-elevation can ever compare to our resurrection in Christ. When we step out of our own way, we can look past our own attitude; which is really a wall of unbelief; and see how Miraculously we fit into God’s Creation; right along with everything else. And so then, how can we even want to take the credit for anything that god allows for us in our lives? I don’t want anything to hinder His Blessing on me; not even myself.
marvin williams on February 12, 2016 at 5:22 am
vmrip, my heart is desperately wicked, and I think I know it, but I don’t. When I think I have pride beat, then I get proud of my victory and stumble and fall again. This is the reason we need Spirit-led and empowered community. Our community can show us our blind spots and help us to live submitted to the Holy Spirit.
marvin williams on February 12, 2016 at 5:18 am
Gary, I am coming right over to Humble Pie Street, but I have to first stop and pick up a towel because I know I will be wiping a lot of pie off my face. I love that God is gracious to us in our pride and hubris. I agree that we will be dealing with this for the rest of our lives. That’s why it is it key let the Holy Spirit do spade work in our hearts every day. Thanks for always pushing us to be self-aware.
Tim Gustafson on February 11, 2016 at 7:10 am
Gary, I always appreciate your comments, and this is no exception. I can so relate. James is kinda hard on us, but so, so right. It seems so natural to make our plans without God’s guidance. Yet if we really understood how much He love us, we would ALWAYS consult Him. Yeah, I’ll see you at Humble Pie Street too.
gagirllive on February 11, 2016 at 8:44 am
Hmm…I have feeling that Humble Pie St will be heavily occupied. The thought that keeps me in check is that God resists (opposes!) the proud but gives grace to the humble. I don’t know about you guys, but I for one don’t want God working against me. I need grace and mercy…not justice. First order of business everyday for me is to admit that. The challenge is to walk in that truth throughout the day. Thanks for this good and timely reminder, Marvin.
sandy229 on February 11, 2016 at 9:21 am
Amen gagirlive!! Yes God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble! Every day I have to remind myself of that!
marvin williams on February 12, 2016 at 5:25 am
gagirllive, can you imagine that we are trying to make appreciable progress in life, only to have pushing against that progress. That is a scary thought to me. So, it behooves us to find new and creative ways to expose our pride and submit to God. Thanks for sharing your heart and voice here.
vmarip on February 11, 2016 at 9:16 am
If you haven’t visited My Utmost for His Highest Today; the message is so appropriate for Today….Isn’t God so amazing and Good to always provide the answer for everything in our lives!
sandy229 on February 11, 2016 at 9:28 am
Yes, very appropriate!! and yes, God is so amazing!!
Tom Felten on February 11, 2016 at 9:39 am
Marvin, it’s interesting, if in our human devices alone we strive to be humble we can actually end up being proud of our humility and self-righteousness. Praise God for the Holy Spirit who convicts us and helps us realize, in brokenness, who God is and what He’s done for us. Love the example of the tax collector in Luke 18:13!
marvin williams on February 12, 2016 at 5:31 am
Tom, what person truly knows his heart? Being proud of our humility defeats the purpose of being humble in the first place. Who will deliver us from this? Thank God we have an advocate in Jesus, the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, and the body of Jesus to help us when we falter along the journey.