Why do we talk too much about ourselves? Why do we get so defensive when someone challenges us? A very helpful diagnosis comes from the Apostle Paul. He writes, “I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, NOT TO THINK OF HIMSELF MORE HIGHLY THAN HE OUGHT to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” (Rom. 12:3) It’s possible that we’re addicted to the pursuit of self-glory because, when we look in the mirror, we think we see someone who deserves to be glorified. Instead of using the mirror of God’s Word to keep our judgment sober, because we may see an EXAGGERATED VERSION of who the Bible says we actually are.
JUSTIN, HERE ARE FOUR POSSIBLE REASONS WHY THIS MAY BE:
- KNOWLEDGE: Many have said “knowledge is power” and it’s true – the more we know, the more we can accomplish. But knowledge must never be CONFUSED WITH TRUE FAITH, because you can be very knowledgeable and very IMMATURE at the same time. We can know everything there is to know about many things and know very little about the Lord and our own NEED FOR HIS GRACE. When knowledgeable people look in the mirror, they’re tempted to see someone with a powerful brain that rarely needs help. But the mirror of God’s Word reveals that we have a deceitful and desperately sick heart that needs daily rescue. “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the LORD, SEARCH the heart, I TEST the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.” (Jer. 17:9-10) We can praise God if he has gifted us with a powerful brain, and continue to pursue the attainment of knowledge for His glory and for the good of others, but we CANNOT think of ourselves more highly than we ought.
- EXPERIENCE: The more we experience, the more confidence we develop. We’re less and less intimidated by life because we’ve just about seen it all. But there’s a critical difference between street-level wisdom gained from experience and SPIRITUAL WISDOM gained from Christ. Just because we’ve been weathered by life doesn’t mean we dealt with it, or will deal with it, in a God-honoring fashion. Remember, we must be, “…confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you WILL COMPLETE IT…” (Phil. 1:6)
- SUCCESS: Success is a wonderful blessing that we should pursue, but it’s simultaneously a dangerous thing. Successful people are rarely humble because they often take credit for what ONLY GOD can produce. And, the Bible would never equate success in life or ministry with personal holiness. We can be dramatically successful and dramatically distant from God, even as a professing Christian. When successful people look in the mirror, often they’re tempted to see someone who deserves all that they’ve earned. But the mirror of God’s Word reveals that every good gift comes from the Father, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down FROM THE FATHER of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (Jam. 1:17)
- RECOGNITION: The praise and recognition of others is delightful to our ears, because we selfishly love to be glorified and we’re kept awake at night by the negative opinions others have of us. As a result, we often make choices that are driven by the approval of men rather than the approval of God, “…for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” (John 12:43) When popular people look in the mirror, they’re tempted to see someone who has arrived because people treat them as if they’re someone special. But the mirror of God’s Word reveals that we all have FALLEN SHORT of the only standard that matters “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Rom. 3:23)
DO WE EXAMINE OUR CHARACTER DAILY BY HUMBLY PLACING OUR HEART BEFORE THE ONE MIRROR WE CAN TRUST, THE MIRROR OF THE WORD OF GOD? REMEMBER THIS – THE CROSS OF CHRIST LIBERATES US FROM FEAR OF THAT EXPOSURE, BECAUSE THE GRACE OF THE CROSS HAS MADE PROVISION FOR EVERYTHING THE BIBLE REVEALS ABOUT US.