Today, we’re going to tackle the idea of confidence. Moreover, I want us to be convicted and walk the fine line between confidence and over-confidence. The difference in results between the two are contrary to each other. Confidence leads to bold attempts to overcome an obstacle and succeed; while overconfidence leads to a gross underestimation of the obstacle and ultimately failure to overcome.
The Apostle Paul writes exactly about this to the Romans in the first century as it relates to sin and temptation. More precisely, he writes to them regarding whether temptations and sins can be overcome based an individual’s confidence or overconfidence in his or her own faith.
That being the example, this has real application in our lives as leaders as a result. Here’s how: Paul assumes most people (including himself) will falter when we are over-confident. More than our own personal failings, there will be negative consequences for others as well.
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.
Romans 12:3 ESV
The simple lesson here today: be humble and know yourself! Do not allow your hubris become your undoing. It happens all the time. Do not let it happen to you. The fastest way to disappointment is to ignore the data. The data I’m talking about is not only your track record when it comes to particular blindspots that you constantly get in trouble with. But the track record of human beings and their failings. If other men and women have failed and faltered, why would you think you would be any different when it comes to sin and temptation or anything else for that matter?
It’s one thing to be confident in yourself when you face the sin and temptation and make the right decision. It’s totally another thing when you go out of your way to be tempted and test yourself over and over.
Allow your self-doubt be the place your faith in God lives. The more insecure we are about ourselves, the more we will cling to God. When we cling to God, the more confidence we will have in his power to deliver us. The type of insecurity I’m talking about is the insecurity we have to do the right thing and make the right choice on our own, left to our devices, every single time. We need to be going to God in prayer, in our insecurities and confidently placing our trust in him and not being overconfident that our status as his heir will cause us to do the right thing.
Prayer: Father, help us know ourselves. Do not allow us to believe we are better than we are. Rather, help us live with the tension of self-doubt and confidence in faith. We are confident you rescue us. We are confident you do not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to cling to you. Help us cling to you through your son, Jesus. Allow his sacrifice be what we cling to and hold to. We pray in Jesus name. Amen.
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