Romans 12.3
“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.”
In the book of Romans we are instructed to avoid arrogance by exercising courageous self-reflection. Please note that this humble spirit is empowered by God’s grace in our lives.
What a powerful scripture! We are not to have an inflated view of ourselves; rather, in response to God’s grace, we are to think of ourselves “with sober judgment.” We are to be courageously self-reflective. We must recognize we are saved sinners. We are to be humble about our strengths and honest about our weaknesses.
Note also that the opposite of “sober judgment” is a self-centered mindset that is impaired by the intoxicating influence of ego. It is a mind that is drunk on self. This is the old nature. It is our fallen nature. It is darkness, distortion, and death.
Here are 12 signs that your ego is too big:
- You are a poor listener. You are slow to hear, quick to speak, and quick to anger.
- You get defensive when someone gives you feedback.
- You want others to do things for you, but you hesitate to do things for others.
- You do not try to understand or empathize with people who disagree with you. When you argue, your goal isn’t to understand and connect with people. Your goal is to prove you are right.
- You have few un-expressed opinions. If you think it, you say it and argue for it.
- You mistakenly think that having an opinion is the same as having credibility.
- You feel jealous when other people do well.
- You talk about yourself for 10 minutes before asking others how they are.
- You would rather hear things that you agree with, rather than hear things that challenge you.
- You blame others when things don’t go your way.
- Your first instinct is to criticize; your last instinct is to encourage.
- You see life through a narrow lens, and everything fits in it. You are blind to things outside your lens. Worse, you are blind to your blind spots.
In Christ we are made new. We are redeemed and restored. We are liberated from the intoxicated ego and empowered by the Spirit to see ourselves clearly and courageously. May you listen to the voice of Truth, walk in the Spirit, reject the old nature, and humble yourself before the Lord our God.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5.17)
Defeating ego is a daily battle, and we must stay vigilant. Trust God. Do the work. Say “no” to ego and “yes” to humility.
The Lord is calling.
