Romans 12:3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
Proverbs 16:18-19 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.
James 4:6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Proverbs 26:12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Titus 2:2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.
1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
We don’t have to listen to much on social media outlets to witness those who think very highly of themselves. We see those with money who think their prosperity is because of their individual talents and thereby elevate themselves to the mental status of someone who ought to be heard and listened to for their “rich” opinion is worthy of everyone to listen to. Because they have become rich they think highly of their status and their wisdom. We also see those who have some form of power to govern or rule, who have also taken high self-worthy praise of themselves. They seem to speak down to people who are not in their circle of influence makers. They speak as though, only they have wisdom and understanding and anyone who does not agree or blindly follow is lacking understanding and knowledge. If we listen and weigh what they are saying we can easily see their pride, folly, and self-worthiness being expressed.
It is easy to read our Scripture today and think it was written specifically for these types of people, but this is not true. Paul was talking to Christians in the Roman Church. He is telling them, “do not think more highly of themselves than they ought to” and to give serious and sensible thought, and to judge these thoughts in light of the faith that has been given to them by God. It is in humbleness that we seek and desire that which honors and glorifies Jesus Christ. In this humbleness we give serious and sensible thought to our heart and, as best we can, to the intents and purposes that come from it. We humbly seek and desire to place Jesus Christ first and give no place for self, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th place do not exist, only Jesus. Wherever God has led you in life, whatever position He has placed you, whatever knowledge and wisdom He has given you, these are not for our honor or glory, but for His alone. We can take no credit for them but we can be thankful for them. We can take no self-worth from them but we can give honor and glory to God because of them. When is the last time you have given serious and sensible thought (in light of Scripture) to the intents and purposes of your heart?
