“If I don’t approach each new experience with an appropriate balance between confidence and humility, there’s a good chance I’m going to be humbled by force.”

Destin Sandlin, GOING SUPERSONIC with U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds! Pulling 7 G’s in an F-16 -Smarter Every Day 235” – Smarter Every Day

We find our confidence in Christ. There are a number of verses in Scripture that point to having confidence in the Lord. “Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Co 3:4-6, ESV). But we should also practice humility before Him (Ja 4:10).

Confidence

In our journey of discipleship, it is important to find a balance between confidence and humility. Both are important in our faith. Confidence in Christ separated from a position of humility becomes misplaced in ourselves. Symptoms include pride, haughtiness, and even insecurity. It sounds strange that someone with confidence would be insecure but confidence in oneself has its limit; anything beyond that limit is a breeding ground for insecurity. To be pushed beyond that limit forces a person into humility. Pride is sometimes disguised as false humility. The humble brag or fishing for compliments are examples of false humility.

Humility

Misplaced confidence tips the scale one way. Self-loathing and an inferiority complex tip the scale the other direction. They are other examples of false humility. Thinking the worst of oneself leads down a spiral of despair. Yes, we have all sinned (Rom 3:23), but only focusing on our shortcomings devoid of the saving grace of Christ leaves us without confidence. It is a recognition of his propitiation that gives us confidence and hope.

Balance

He became our sin so that we could become His righteousness (2 Co 5:21). That is where we find the appropriate balance of confidence and humility. We have confidence in the atoning sacrifice of Christ so that we can have life. Humility understands that there is nothing that we can do to earn salvation and recognizes that His grace saves us. With this confidence and humility, we can go and make disciples because it is not about us saving others. It’s about pointing them to the God who saves.


The following video was just a simple distraction for me today, but what Destin said near the end caught my attention and prompted this post. Enjoy.

The quote above is from this video at about the 28:17 mark.