Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. – 1 Corinthians 3:18
According to an article on the Nature of Human Behavior, “There is ample evidence that the average person thinks he or she is more skillful, more beautiful, and more kind than others.” Humans often deceive themselves into a confidence level that lets them effectively deceive others. Self-deception allows people to lie to themselves. They often lie to protect their self-image. God wants you to have a realistic self-image; not thinking more highly of yourself than you ought, but not thinking less of yourself either.
Your concept of yourself should be founded on who God says you are! Made in His image, you nonetheless were born with a sinful nature that fights against your spiritual side. If you have accepted Christ Jesus as Savior, then you are a part of God’s forever family, a beloved child, forgiven, and totally loved. Still, pride has a nasty way of lurking around, and you need to humbly remind yourself that you are a new creation in Jesus. You are transformed more and more into His likeness as you dwell on Him in reading His Word, in prayer and gratitude, and in fellowship with other believers.
Today, seek to balance the confidence you have in Christ with the humility He showed toward others. Set your mind on the truths in God’s Word. Reject the deceptions of the world’s system and uproot them from your life. Pray for those with misplaced confidence who serve in the halls of government to be brought to where they will recognize their own weakness, surrender themselves to the will and salvation of God, and find for themselves the grace God gives to the humble!
Today’s Verse: 1 Corinthians 3:18
Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Luke 18:9-14
9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
