"Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion." (Romans 12:16 NKJV)
Do not be wise in your own opinion
Wise in your own opinion means wise in your own self/your own
estimation/your own conceit
At the beginning of this year we
studied “wisdom that is from above” from James
3:13-17, we know what true wisdom is and how it is exhibited; it is solid and
unchanging – quite the opposite of our varying opinions, feelings, and
estimations.
We need to be aware of our own
tendencies to rely on our notions or what we think we already know; we need a
humbleness of mind that is willing to acknowledge instruction (found in God’s word) and be willing to
obey, learn, and grow; we need to be willing to yield (James 3:17). We cannot go through life
thinking we already have it all figured out, nor can we think so well of
ourselves to assume that our own individual likes or dislikes will exempt us
from doing what God has commanded.
Please read and
think on these passages:
“Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil.” (Proverbs 3:7)
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud.” (Proverbs 16:18-19)
“Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight.” (Isaiah 5:21)“…make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each one esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:2-5)
“Finally, all of you, be of one mind, having compassion for one another, love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous.” (1 Peter 3:8, ‘courteous’ in this verse means ‘humble’)
“Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” (Galatians 5:26)
“…with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:2-3)
In order to grow and flourish as a Christian, we must understand who God is and who we are before Him. We need to acknowledge that without Him we are utterly without hope. We need to comprehend the fact that He made us equal to all others (Galatians 3:26-28) and that while we may have differing talents (Matthew 25:14-30) and measures of faith (Romans 12:3-8), God blessed us with the church so that we would have fellow Christians to lean on and learn from (Hebrews 13:7, Titus 2:3-5). It is clear that there is no place for pride and conceit; humbleness is vital. We need humble hearts and minds that exhibit a willingness to listen and heed God’s instruction and commands, and a willingness to hear the helpful advice and instruction given (from God’s word) by those who call on Him out of a pure heart (2 Timothy 2:22, Hebrews 5:12-14).
Looking at the Romans 12:16 as a whole
again, we see a clear directive: go through troubles and triumphs together, work together, and learn together.
This is not the will of the strongest taking the lead, instead, it is the strong-willed
and the more compliant wills, all honouring
God’s will utmost in their hearts
and minds. It is the stronger-willed listening and doing what God says to do,
it is the compliant and weaker-willed hearing God’s word and developing a firm
stand, and they help each other to do this by clinging to God’s instructions
and commands together.
Are you ready to humbly listen and follow after what is good
and right in God’s sight? Are you ready to submit to God and His wisdom?
You can do it! So can I!!
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