People have always compared themselves to others, but today’s internet-addicted society has taken the practice to a staggeringly dangerous level.
Believers are in a vulnerable position like everyone else, of course. We can easily be tripped up and fall into the comparison trap by thinking “I am already wise” and superior to others.
God says STOP!
“Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil.” Proverbs 3:7
True wisdom is from God. Never us.
Jesus is infinitely wiser than us and we should be humbled by his endless grace and allow it to erase our pride. Instead of us being “wise in our own eyes,” we need to “fear the Lord and reject evil.”
Fearing the Lord recognizes our inadequacy compared to his majestic greatness; our foolishness contrasted against his mighty wisdom; and our frailty in relation to his omnipotence.
Here’s my approach to the challenge of walking with Christ…
I want my default reaction to quickly despise my self-reliance and immediately turn to God’s perfect wisdom and discernment. And then do it again and again and again.
Fearing the Lord gobbles up our selfishness and vanquishes any presumption that we have our life under control. It leads us away from evil (Proverbs 16:6). And it is the mark of a wise man (Proverbs 14:16).
I ask God to keep me looking to him for wisdom and never rely on my own.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
What is your reaction when thoughts of being “full of wisdom” pop into your head?
