Dictionary of Bible Themes: 8820 self-confidence

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8820 self-confidence

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8700 Threats to the life of faith » 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

Isaiah 28:15; Matthew 26:33-35 pp Mark 14:29-31 pp Luke 23:33-34 pp John 13:37-38 See also Luke 22:33-34; Judges 16:20; 1 Kings 20:11; 2 Kings 19:23-24; Job 8:13-14; Psalm 49:5-6; Jeremiah 17:5; Hosea 12:8

Excessive self-confidence leads to pride

Isaiah 9:9-10; Ob 3 See also Genesis 11:4; Genesis 37:5; Exodus 15:9; 2 Chronicles 26:16; Proverbs 16:18; Isaiah 16:6; Ezekiel 28:2; Acts 8:9; Romans 11:17-18; 1 Corinthians 5:2; 1 John 2:16

Challenges to excessive self-confidence

Nehemiah 6:16; 1 Corinthians 4:7 See also Psalm 49:12-13; Psalm 52:7; Proverbs 3:5-7; Proverbs 11:28; Proverbs 28:26; Isaiah 5:21; Isaiah 14:13-15; Jeremiah 49:7,4-5; James 4:13-16

Excessive self-confidence is a barrier to justification

Luke 18:9-14

Accurate self-confidence

Of one's natural advantages

Philippians 3:4-6 See also Acts 22:3,28

Of one's experience of God

2 Corinthians 12:2 See also Acts 22:4-21; 2 Corinthians 12:1; Corinthians 13:5-6; Galatians 1:13-17; Galatians 6:4

Of one's calling to serve

2 Corinthians 10:8 See also 2 Corinthians 10:13-17; Galatians 2:7

Of one's service

Acts 20:19; Romans 12:3 See also Acts 20:18,20-21; 1 Corinthians 9:15-18; 2 Corinthians 1:12; Philippians 2:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Of one's own weakness

2 Corinthians 11:29-30 See also 2 Corinthians 11:21-28; Corinthians 12:9

Accurate self-estimates lead to justification

Luke 18:9-14

Justified self-confidence may appear as pride

2 Corinthians 11:17-18

Jesus Christ's accurate assessment of himself

Matthew 16:15-17 pp Mark 8:29 pp Luke 9:20-21 See also Matthew 26:62-64; John 13:13

The proper source of all confidence

Jeremiah 9:23-24 See also Psalm 34:2; Psalm 44:6-7; Isaiah 10:15; 1 Corinthians 1:27-31