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Don’t Think Too Highly of Yourselves
By Brian | May 26, 2008
was looking at my new website today and realized just how great it looks. Professional, well done, I’ve caught all the spelling errors, the verse-o-matic on the right is randomly pulling verses like it should. I was just so impressed by myself that I figured I’d better start looking into pride fast, before my head swelled too much for my neck to support. OK, that’s a little bit extreme but, let’s face it, we all get a little too proud of ourselves from time to time.
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. - Romans 12:3
This verse is one of many different verses all dealing with the same subject: pride. Romans 12:3, though, is a little different because that added caveat to think soberly[a]. It’s not enough to be sure not to be too prideful. We must consider ourselves with sober judgment. We cannot think to lowly of ourselves either.
The Lord gives his gifts freely, but we can’t pick and choose[b]. Some of us teachers, others prophets, some with faith to move mountains, others with a gift of encouragement. Some of us teach, others serve, and undoubtedly a lot of us wonder exactly what we do at all. Well, hopefully, we’re all doing something.
If you’re a Christian than you have a gift and you should be using it. It may not be prohesy or wisdom. It may be cooking, or cleaning up after the service. Whatever your gift is don’t think of yourself too highly, but don’t diminish yourself either. Your gift is important to the functioning of the whole[c]. Perhaps it is a gift of encouragement? Do you have someone in your church that feeds everyone each week? If you do, pick up the phone, call her or him, and just say thank you. Let them know that the body wouldn’t function without them. Don’t let them diminish themselves either.
Brothers and sisters your gifts are important! Just don’t think your gift is any more important than anyone else’s. We are all important parts of the Body of Christ.
Footnotes:
a) Romans 12:13
b) 1 Corinthians 12:8-10
c) 1 Corinthians 12:12
Topics: Corinthians, Romans |