Don’t Be Conceited

Daily Devotional – Monday, February 12, 2024
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.
Romans 12:3 (NLT)

A village church has organized a week of spiritual revival and invited a renowned preacher from the city. The minister, though, demands high-end accommodation, high-class cuisine, and advance payment before he can travel to the village.

Avoid Self-Adulation

The locals are disappointed. The accommodation and food they offered their guests were modest, comfortable, and the best they could offer. They are also used to visiting preachers who eat and interact freely with the local community.

How different would the situation have been if the preacher had read and lived by Paul’s counsel in Romans 12:3? The apostle cautions, “Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.”

Don’t Be Conceived

We must not be conceited. While we must always remember how precious we are before God, we must not forget that pride, unbridled competition for power, pleasure-seeking, and negative self-love are detestable before God. Rather, we must offer selfless service to humanity and remain humble.

We need to view ourselves as underserving but forgiven sinners, constantly in need of God’s grace and mercy. Even when we have achieved the highest levels of academic, material, and spiritual accomplishments, we must remain faithful students in Christ’s school of humility. We must not be conceited.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, help me not to think I am better than I really am. Teach me to be as humble as you were when you walked on earth.