How Is Your Ego -- Rom 12.3

“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.” – Rom 12:3

Discussion

Have to wonder today, with so many people walking around with heads swollen from massive egos whether or not the world is big enough for them all. You have politicians who have decided they know what is best for everyone. Educators who have basically inculcated into the minds in their class if the instructor wanted their opinion the Instructor would give it to them. Entertainment idols who have taken to using violent verbiage fluffing out their feathers, blowing themselves up into some huge figure in their minds, joining the cacophony of others like them telling anyone who listens what is best for them and the world. Religious leaders and their followers convinced they have the ‘true’ religion, or, all you have to do to have your way with GOD is just “Claim it” or speak with authoritative BOLDNESS to make sure GOD is on the same page. Others just decide they would rather kill you then look at you because you do not share their beliefs. All of this could be overwhelming, if it was the only examples of humanity the world over. Yet, the true humility of so many all around the globe is such a refreshing experience to see and know it nullifies the arrogance of those who think they are bigger than life. All of a sudden in walks the Apostle Paul. I know, the man has been gone from earth for nearly 2 millennia but if you are an avid student of the Bible, his words just make him appear right there in your mind. Time for an attitude and altitude change. ‘Not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think.’ In other words, don’t live as though you are a legend in your own mind.

While the above scripture is written to the church in Rome, at another time the church in Corinth received a letter, a second one to the same congregation, and in chapter eleven Paul is concerned at the seeming gullibility of the church members. They had heard and believed in the gospel a few years back when first they heard Paul. After he left them, he received word that there was some unseemly sexual activity happening between a son and his father’s wife that the church was aware of but did nothing to stop. Paul wrote a strongly worded letter on how they had to handle the situation and apparently they did because in his second letter to the same church he told them to bring some comfort to the individual by forgiving him before he was overwhelmed in grief to spare the individual such sorrow he’d become an easy target for Satan.

At the same time, further along in the letter, he begins to address the change in the church membership. According to chapter eleven there had been an element of an unfamiliar gospel, not THE GOSPEL, but another. Because those who introduced the different gospel were apparently well spoken, considering themselves ‘eminent’ others say ‘super fine apostles’ the church members seemed to have allowed themselves to be seduced away from the very gospel Paul brought to them. He acknowledged that he was ‘unskilled’ in speech but was certainly knowledgeable. He expressed that he was thorough in his teaching them the gospel. He said this in verse 6b: “indeed we made it clear to you in every way and in everything.” He spent the rest of chapter eleven itemizing his walk with the Lord. From beatings, to shipwreck, to hours in the sea, to being beat, danger from nature, from robbers, from his own people, from nations, wilderness…etc. In other words, he is one man who could honestly say the world was absolutely against him. World being all the elements, animals, serpents, people. He struggled to fulfill his calling as an apostle to the gentiles. And beyond that in chapter 12 he admits he has an ailment or condition that causes him much pain – he referred to it as a thorn in the flesh from an angel of Satan as a reminder not to think more of himself than he ought to. Three different times he prayed to the Lord, he said begged the Lord, to remove the issue but instead he basically was told to live with it. Yet, not so bluntly. In fact, this is what was said: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2Cor 12:9 --That is quite a statement would you not agree? What was Paul’s response? Remember, 3 times he begged for the Lord to remove the problem. He had an absolutely wonderful response: “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” If only we could have the humility and love to fully embrace the same attitude! In the end Paul, though frustrated was concerned the peace of GOD would somehow be replaced in the Corinth Church with ‘debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults’ [2Cor 12:20c] which of course could divide what may have been a solid church.

Not to be thinking more of ourselves than we ought does put a check on our ego and arrogance. When we think of the Sovereign Creator, when we think upon the impossible life, torture and death of our Lord, when we ponder HIS resurrection to life again – the mighty works HE filled the gospel accounts with, who and how are we bigger than we truly are? Thinking far more of ourselves than we truly have cause to think. If you haven’t a clue how to back your ego down, spend some time reading Job’s attitude adjustment by GOD in chapters 35-42. First, a young man was sent to Job to begin to remind Job of things he already knew but due to his illness and tremendous loss he’d lost sight of. He’d gotten caught up in full grief with a little self-pity, AND REALLY, who wouldn’t feel that way, but it was not Job’s usual character. Elihu begins to move Job to open his eyes to see outside himself. What a terrific journey, a humbling interaction with his GOD, a complete deflation of who Job had become - a way to finally be finished with the test and after acknowledging his disrespect -- the healing of all things not just his body.

Hopefully, we can read this often as time passes and our best efforts give way to routine. Though we understand it is far more desirable to be humble, though we understand we need to truly pray and study and work through our pride and try to discover humility, we wind up back in the same mind, heart and way we were. But now in the back of our mind, where Holy Spirit has seared a lesson for us to ponder, we feel a nagging to make the change. So, let it be for you, to calendar time to pray, read the Bible, think about what you read, think about Job, about Paul, about other Christians you know who seem so very loving and humble and let GOD lead you to the place you want to be. Reminders in places your eyes fall every day ‘to not think more of yourself than you ought to’ will be helpful.  May the grace of GOD, the ONE whose mercies are ever refreshing, be with you in all you do in honor of HIM.

NOTICE: If you are feeling inclined or feeling led to want Jesus as your Savior, your leader, your King, your source of Peace and Joy but are feeling woefully inadequate, uninformed on how best to get to know HIM, or find yourself at wit’s end because you believe yourself trapped and in need of GOD, please know Jesus stands ready to welcome you with HIS Holy Spirit. Believe these words: “¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “—John 3:16

^“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, ²⁰ and that He may send ^[c]Jesus Christ, who was ^[d]preached to you before, ²¹ whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since ^[e]the world began.” – Acts 3:19-20

“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:3-8

If you need help, please feel free to leave a comment and I will respond.  † 

DISCLAIMER: The thoughts published on this blog, in total, are the opinions, thoughts and considerations of the writer/author of every post published. It is assumed that research by the reader will lead the reader to their own conclusions. It is not the writer’s intent to make a judgment of anyone but to allow GOD’s Word to do what it does. “For the word of GOD is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from GOD’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:12 [NIV]

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