“For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.”
(Romans 12:3, NASB)
As a general rule, we all think more highly of ourselves than we should, in part because we have a broken, self-centered, internal value system. We can begin to think that the smarter, faster, leaner, prettier, wealthier, more successful, powerful, and prestigious we are, the more invincible and self-sufficient we are.
But this is a dangerous mindset that the apostle Paul warns against in Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world…” but rather think as one with a “renewed mind” would think.
Paul goes on to say in Romans 12:3 that by employing “sound judgment” the renewed mind uses faith as the standard of measurement, not self-pride. The transformed life “boasts in the Lord” and not in its own accomplishments or accessories (1 Cor. 1:31).
In other words, a true spiritual assessment measures the degree to which we trust not in ourselves – but by faith in God, our Creator, as our supreme essence and the crowning glory of life itself.
If we want to know the truth about what we should think of ourselves, we must rely on the assessment of the One who sees all with perfect vision, who knows all with perfect understanding. We must take an honest look at God’s system of measurement, because instead of being taken with our outer appearance and worldly trappings, God sees our heart (1 Sam. 16:7). He measures our faith (Heb. 11:6).
As children of God, may we not assess ourselves based on the world’s value system. Rather may we pray for God to continually renew our minds and transform our lives by growing our faith in Him alone. Then we will see, enjoy, and pursue Him as the sum of all that is true and good and valuable and beautiful and satisfying in life.
Contemplation:
Dear God of all Glory, how foolish that I look back at myself in the mirror with pride in who I am and what I have accomplished. The truth is that this physical frame I put so much stock in came from dust and will return to dust. This life that I spend so much time and effort building is nothing more than a vapor – here and then gone. All the time, the energy, the emotion I waste accumulating “stuff” that will fade away is time, energy, and emotion I could be investing in my relationship with You.
You resist a proud heart, but show grace to the humble. Help me humble myself before You now, Lord, that I may know Your grace and forgiveness for conforming to the world’s standards… for thinking of myself more highly than I should, worshiping the “creature” more than You, my Creator.
Begin your work of transformation in me even now, by bringing to mind Scripture that will align my thinking with Your truth and increase my faith in You. Draw me closer to You, the God of all good and the true source of abundant life! (John 10:10) Amen.
