Romans 12:3 “spoke” to my heart this morning. I’d like to discuss with you one clause therein … “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 …”
I suspect it is Biblically acceptable to think of yourself at times, but never “too highly.”
For example: “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2 Corinthians 13:5, clearly a serious self evaluation!
Paul once said this: “I think myself happy, king Agrippa …” Acts 26:2, perhaps suggesting that our thoughts (of ourselves) can influence our emotions.
But NEVER are we to yield to the flesh and “think more highly” of ourselves than we should!
We’re all sinners saved by Grace … I’m speaking to you born again readers of course … and Isaiah gives good advice here: “Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.” Remember where He found you, Isaiah 51:1. (In a hole in a pit!)
The Greek of Romans 12:3 says “do not hyper think of yourselves!” So apropos for the days in which we are living.
Perhaps the solution to keeping ourselves “in place” Scripturally is to heed James’ advice: “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord.” James 4:10
Peter agrees: “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” 1 Peter 5:6
Paul asked us to have “the mind of Christ,” the dear Lord Jesus Who said “I am meek and lowly!”
If you’re pondering Heaven, or God’s Grace, or our Great High Priest … HYPER-THINK all you’d like. And your thoughts still will never soar to the Reality of these grand Themes.
But when dealing with self … maybe a little “dose” of Psalm 40 (verses 1-5) will be of help: “I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an HORRIBLE PIT, out of the MIRY CLAY, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth NOT the PROUD …”
Amen!
Your humble servant,
Dr. Mike Bagwell
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