Thinking Humbly & Soberly About Ourselves

Examining Scripture:

“For I say, through the
grace given unto me,
to every man
that is among you,
not to think of himself
more highly
than he ought to think;
but to think soberly,
according as God hath
dealt to every man
the measure of faith.
For as we have many
members in one body,
and all members have
not the same office:
So we, being many,
are one body in Christ,
and every one members
one of another.”
Romans 12:3-5

Evaluating Soil

The goal taken from Romans 12:1-2 is to live as holy, acceptable, living sacrifices that are not conformed to the world. The instruction continues in verses 3-5.

God’s Word plants the instructive seeds in our soil on how we are to think as believers. First, we’re not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think. Second, we are to remember that we’re all members of one body.

Viewing ourselves as the better plants in the garden isn’t holy. While we hold different offices, we’re created equal and are each as important as the other.

Experiencing Seasons:

Unfortunately, we can often view ourselves as better (or worse) than others. At times, prideful thoughts have crossed my mind like:

• “At least, I’m not that bad.”
• “I could never behave that way.”
• “What were they thinking?”
• “Why don’t they try harder?”

Or, I may think more highly of others:

• “I can never live up to them.”
• “They’re much stronger or smarter.”
• “They’re more spiritual or successful.”

If we’re not careful, this bad thinking can fill our hearts with a sense of pride or false humility.

Embracing Solace:

There is a great solace in knowing God created us as unique individuals. We don’t have to keep up with or measure up to others, and we shouldn’t expect them to measure up to us.

Since we are all in need of grace and forgiveness, who are we to question who is more worthy of it? Not everyone is blessed with the same upbringing, ability, or resources but we all depend on God for what we acquire or accomplish.

Enjoying Simplicity:

Life would be a lot simpler if we all thought as much of others as we think about ourselves. What a load off our minds that would be?

Employing Solutions:

Look at what it means to think more highly of ourselves as defined in the Greek:

Think More Highly – Greek #5252
huperphroneō
From G5228 and G5426; to esteem oneself overmuch, that is, be vain or arrogant:-
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

When we think more highly of ourselves, we esteem ourselves too much and are:

• Vain
• Arrogant

Just to say those words makes me cringe. I never want these things thought of me and fight daily to overcome this thinking.

The alternative is to “think soberly” and is defined as:

Soberly – Greek #4993
sōphroneō
From G4998; to be of sound mind, that is, sane, (figuratively) moderate: –
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

It’s better for us to have sound minds that think:

• Sanely
• Moderately

Let’s not be deceived by society’s pattern of thinking we’re better than others. We’re all blessed with a measure of faith and need to humbly love and support each other more than ever.

“Bear ye one another’s burdens,
and so fulfil the law of Christ.
For if a man think himself to be something,
when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.”
Galatians 6:2-3

Bring It Home

Do you struggle, as I do, to think of others as God does?

Praying for you as we grow together,
Smiles, BRC