THINKING OF YOURSELF MORE HIGHLY?

A Response to "Thinking of Yourself More Highly?"

The Warning Against Pride

The apostle Paul gives a clear and direct warning in Romans 12:3: "Do not think of yourself more highly than you should. Instead, be modest in your thinking, and judge yourself according to the amount of faith that God has given you." This is not a suggestion; it is a command. Pride is a subtle but deadly sin. It creeps in when we begin to compare ourselves with others and feel superior. It grows when we focus on our own achievements, abilities, or advantages. It flourishes when we forget that everything we have is a gift from God. Pride blinds us to our own weaknesses and makes us blind to the value of others. It is the root of many sins and the downfall of many souls.

The Edge That Does Not Matter

Be careful that you do not think of yourself more highly just because you are born to have some edge over others. You may have the extras—better education, better job, and even better looks. These don't give you the right to be better than the one next to you. These are gifts, not merits. They are opportunities, not entitlements. They are privileges, not proofs of superiority. The person next to you may not have the same advantages, but they are no less valuable in the eyes of God. Your education does not make you wiser; your job does not make you more worthy; your looks do not make you more loved. These are external, temporary, and ultimately insignificant in the light of eternity.

Created in the Image of God

Even though we may be different in some ways, we are all created in the image of God. Before God Almighty, we are His children. In His eyes, we are all equal, for He has no favorites. God does not measure worth by education, wealth, or appearance. He measures by the heart. He looks at humility, faith, and love. The ground is level at the foot of the cross. Every person, regardless of status, stands in need of grace. Every person, regardless of achievement, is a recipient of mercy. We are all equally dependent on God for life, breath, and salvation.

The Sin of Despising Others

Thinking of yourself more highly will cause you to have a tendency of despising others, and that is sin. Proverbs 14:21 says that whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner. When you look down on others, you are not just being unkind; you are sinning against God. You are treating as worthless someone whom God has created and loves. You are elevating yourself to a position that belongs only to God. Others may view you as a person who lacks sense. Proverbs 11:12 says that a man who lacks sense derides his neighbor. Pride makes you foolish. It makes you blind to your own faults and quick to judge others. It alienates you from others and from God.

God's Calling Without Distinction

God has no distinction when He calls a man. He does not look down on anyone in His calling. One classical example is Amos. He was a prophet, but he did not come from a family of prophets. He was a herdsman, taking care of fig trees. He was ordinary, humble, and overlooked by the world. Yet God chose him to be a prophet. God does not look at a person's background, education, or status. He looks at the heart. He chooses the weak to shame the strong. He chooses the foolish to shame the wise. He chooses the ordinary to do extraordinary things. No one is too insignificant for God to use. No one is too unimportant for God to call.

Final Reflection

Do not think of yourself more highly than you should. Be modest in your thinking. Remember that everything you have is a gift from God. Remember that you are no better than the person next to you. Remember that God shows no favoritism. He calls the ordinary. He uses the humble. He blesses the meek. So humble yourself before God and others. Let your attitude be like that of Christ, who made Himself nothing and became a servant. In humility, you will find honor. In modesty, you will find favor. In serving others, you will find greatness.

Prayer for Humility

Lord, keep me from thinking of myself more highly than I should. Help me to be modest in my thinking and to judge myself according to the faith You have given me. Forgive me for the times I have looked down on others or felt superior. Help me to see every person as created in Your image and worthy of love. Let me not despise others but honor them as Your children. Use me, Lord, not because of my abilities but because of Your grace. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.