8820 self-confidence

A positive assessment of one’s own abilities and resources. Scripture censures excessive self-confidence, in that such an attitude lacks humility and fails to recognise the role of God’s grace in the Christian life.

Excessive self-confidence

In one’s own abilities Isa 28:15; Mt 26:33-35 pp Mk 14:29-31 pp Lk 23:33-34 pp Jn 13:37-38 See also Lk 22:33-34; Jdg 16:20; 1Ki 20:11; 2Ki 19:23-24; Job 8:13-14; Ps 49:5-6; Jer 17:5; Hos 12:8

Excessive self-confidence leads to pride Isa 9:9-10; Ob 3 See also Ge 11:4; Ge 37:5; Ex 15:9; 2Ch 26:16; Pr 16:18; Isa 16:6; Eze 28:2; Ac 8:9; Ro 11:17-18; 1Co 5:2; 1Jn 2:16

Challenges to excessive self-confidence Ne 6:16; 1Co 4:7 See also Ps 49:12-13; Ps 52:7; Pr 3:5-7; Pr 11:28; Pr 28:26; Isa 5:21; Isa 14:13-15; Jer 49:7,4-5; Jas 4:13-16

Excessive self-confidence is a barrier to justification Lk 18:9-14

Accurate self-confidence

Of one’s natural advantages Php 3:4-6 See also Ac 22:3,28

Of one’s experience of God 2Co 12:2 See also Ac 22:4-21; 2Co 12:1; 2Co 13:5-6; Gal 1:13-17; Gal 6:4

Of one’s calling to serve 2Co 10:8 See also 2Co 10:13-17; Gal 2:7

Of one’s service Ac 20:19; Ro 12:3 See also Ac 20:18,20-21; 1Co 9:15-18; 2Co 1:12; Php 2:16; 1Th 2:1-12

Of one’s own weakness 2Co 11:29-30 See also 2Co 11:21-28; 2Co 12:9

Accurate self-estimates lead to justification Lk 18:9-14

Justified self-confidence may appear as pride 2Co 11:17-18

Jesus Christ’s accurate assessment of himself

Mt 16:15-17 pp Mk 8:29 pp Lk 9:20-21 See also Mt 26:62-64; Jn 13:13

The proper source of all confidence

Jer 9:23-24 See also Ps 34:2; Ps 44:6-7; Isa 10:15; 1Co 1:27-31

See also