DO NOT TRUST YOURSELF

Prov. 28:26  Trusting oneself is foolish, but those who walk in wisdom are safe.  NLT

     We are our own worst enemy.  We fail to see ourselves in a realistic or honest way.  We tend to see ourselves in a positive light, especially as we compare ourselves with others.  We try to convince ourselves that we are okay just the way we are.  We sugarcoat our deficiencies.  We seldom see ourselves as others see us.  Being around us others can see us in our weaknesses, but we usually don’t see them as others do.  We convince ourselves that when Scripture speaks of sinful behavior and thoughts that it always applies to others and not ourselves.  Let’s be honest, we struggle to be honest with ourselves about ourselves.  Trusting ourselves is foolish because we are so easily convinced that we have it all together and don’t need help.

      Those who know they are in need can be helped.  In fact, unless we see ourselves as in need, we can’t have a living relationship with Christ.  We do not need ourselves, we need Christ.  We need His companionship, instruction and corrections.  We need Him to humble us.  We need Him to keep us aware of our shortcomings and sins.  We need wisdom from God.  We need Him to keep us needy.

       Wisdom keeps us safe.  Wisdom is knowing what is true and living it.  It is understanding that when God reveals to us things about us that need changing that we listen to God and change.  It is reading the Scriptures with open hearts and looking for things that apply to us.  It is being more concerned about seeing ourselves honestly.  It is knowing we are in need before God.  It is being aware of our sinfulness and repenting of it.  It is knowing that we are far from being perfect.  It is knowing that often we don’t get it right and need correction.  It is being able to accept correction graciously. 

      Only those who have wisdom will be able to live rightly before God.  It is foolish to trust one’s self instead of God.  It is foolish for us to be so proud that we can’t be changed.  It is foolish to not listen to others.  It is foolish to ignore the instructions and chastisements of God.  Examine your heart before God today and be wise.  Surrender it all to Jesus and you will be wise.