Category Archives: Conceit

Bible, Boasting, Conceit, Pride, Salvation, Scripture

BOAST IN JESUS

ROMANS 3:27

“Where then is boasting? It has been excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.” 

I am very aware that I am not where I am spiritually because of my own intellect, deep convictions or dedication. There are so many people who have helped shape my Christian life. I have been influenced by some great men of God, beginning back in high school and even up to the present. I cannot boast of anything in myself. I have been truly blessed.

Paul begins a five verse discussion to wrap up chapter 3 with today’s verse. He once again reminds his readers that they have nothing to boast about in regards to their salvation. The word “boasting” is the Greek word kauchesis “which can either be in the “achievements” of self (negatively) or about God’s grace (positively).” (HELPS Word Studies). The promotion of self is always bad. It doesn’t matter what you’re talking about. We are not above anyone in God’s eyes. You’ve heard it said that the ground is level at the foot of the cross.

APPLICATION

Paul says later in Romans 15:17, “Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God.” You see, that is where our boasting belongs – in Christ Jesus, not ourselves. We boast in His virgin birth, His sacrificial life, His death, His resurrection and His promised return. Even right now I can boast that He is interceding for me in heaven.

James looks at the negative side of boasting in James 4:16. After talking about people making their own plans without regard to God, he writes, “But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.” Does that describe you? I hope not. Let all such pride and boasting be excluded from you, just as Paul says it should be in today’s verse.

The word Paul uses for “excluded” is only used here and by Paul again in Galatians 4:17. It literally means to shut out or bar access to someone or something. That’s the picture we should keep forefront in our minds in regard to boasting of ourselves. It’s only Jesus. Only He could have saved us and given us this righteousness. Praise be to God.

We praise You, Lord, for the great work of Your Son in our lives.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Conceit, Eternity, Pride, Scripture, Superior

I’M BETTER THAN YOU

ROMANS 3:9

“What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin;”

Don’t you just avoid snobby people? People who think they are better than everyone else can rub you the wrong way. You’ve heard it expressed that they are “looking down their nose” at everyone. Literally, that means they are tilting their head back and raising their chin in physical posture of superiority. The problem with tilting your head back like that is if you get caught in a rainstorm, you can drown, lol.

Paul uses the middle voice of the Greek word proechó, which is only used here in today’s verse. It means “to hold oneself before others.” (Strong’s). Paul never asks a question to which he did not have the answer. He has been discussing the differences between Gentiles and Jews the past two chapters. He knows that both groups have their own sense of superiority over the other, but the truth is neither was superior. Both were doomed for eternal destruction unless they responded to the Lord.

APPLICATION

The Topical Lexicon says, “The apostle’s rhetorical question refutes the idea that covenant possession or moral striving places anyone closer to justification apart from faith in Jesus Christ.” In Proverbs 6:17 we are told the Lord hates “haughty eyes.” He hates those who think they are better than others. Now, when I say He hates them, I mean He hates their heart attitude. Of course, He loves them and wants them to come to Him, but He will not tolerate their outlandish attitudes.

The attitude of the Gentiles and Jews still exists today, even in our churches. The Baptists think they are better because of their doctrinal stance on eternal security. The Catholics believe they have the true church. The Church of Christ would argue their church is THE church. One day, when we arrive in heaven, we are going to be surprised at who we find and don’t find there.

How’s your heart attitude today towards others? Are you sitting in judgment over them? Or have you humbled yourself to the point that these issues don’t matter? God needs humbled servants who are willing to do whatever He asks. He may ask you to serve someone you think is unreachable. Remember, you are just the vessel.

Father God, mold and remold me into the vessel You can use to reach whomever You send my way.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Blessing, Conceit, Grace, Humility, Scripture

THE LEAST OF ALL

EPHESIANS 3:8

“To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ,”

None of us like to see ourselves as less than someone else. It’s in our old sin nature to puff ourselves up and make ourselves look better than we really are. So, when someone belittles you or cuts you down, you naturally respond. I am not saying that’s right. I just saying it’s the normal response. Should it be?

In today’s verse, Paul humbles himself in one of the most selfless ways. He uses a Greek word, elachistoteros, for “very least” which Strong’s Concordance defines as “less than the least.” That’s not a lot, people. Elachistoteros is only used here in the whole New Testament. Most scholars I read agree that Paul never forgot what God saved him out of. He was persecuting believers, even agreeing to the stoning of Stephen. He could never see himself on par with other saints who had suffered for Christ. In short, Paul never got over grace.

APPLICATION

Reading this verse causes us to think about the issue of humility. Now, that’s a different Greek word, but the idea is the same. Humility means putting others first, lowering yourself to serve others. The perfect passage for this is found in Philippians 2:5-8. “5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross.” 

A similar passage is found in 1 Peter 4:1. “Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because the one who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,” If Christ, the Son of God, was willing to humble Himself to suffer for you, we need to have that same attitude. We should be willing to suffer for others.

Just how much do you think of yourself? Do you think the sun rises and falls because of you? Not hardly. The world does not revolve around any single person. We are called to humble ourselves and pray. We are commanded to humble ourselves and submit to our elders. How are you doing with that?

Father, keep me humble before You. I want to honor You in my service to others.

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Arrogance, Attitude, Bible, Boasting, Conceit, Emotions, Godliness, Scripture, Self-righteousness

ARROGANT WORDS

MALACHI 3:13

“‘Your words have been arrogant against Me,’ says the LORD. ‘Yet you say, “What have we spoken against You?”’”

When I first met my wife, we were both working at a children’s home in Georgia. She was the Recreation Director, and I was a Houseparent for teenage boys. I’ll never forget that she thought I was arrogant and full of myself. I don’t know – maybe I was. I have learned since then not to question her judgment. Anyway, I guess I won her over since we have been married over 38 years now.

Arrogance is what the Lord accuses the people of. They had criticized the Lord and were not even aware. We have to look back at Malachi 2:17 where this was addressed the first time. “You have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet you say, ‘How have we wearied Him?’ In that you say, ‘Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and He delights in them,’ or, ‘Where is the God of justice?’” Conceit and self-righteousness are both forms of arrogance they practiced.

APPLICATION

Before you start pointing fingers at them, check out your own heart. Do you have any arrogance in there, any conceit or self-righteousness? We all have that from time to time. We can get cocky and snobbish toward other people, even our family members. God does not look kindly on this behavior.

Paul shared with Timothy some traits that will exhibited in the last days. Man, we are seeing these today, aren’t we? 2 Timothy 3:1-5 tells us, “1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of  godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these.” 

I underlined several traits that are linked directly to arrogance. Let me ask you to check out yourself against this list. How many are you portraying daily? How many do you need to confess as sin right now? Take the time to do a self-check. Make sure you are following the Lord and not self. Then get back to loving Him and loving others. After all, isn’t that what Jesus said to do?

Father, forgive my arrogant heart and cleanse me from all self-righteousness.

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Bible, Boasting, Conceit, Humility, Repentance, Scripture

BOAST IN THE LORD

ZEPHANIAH 2:15

“This is the presumptuous city that dwells securely, who says in her heart, ‘I am, and there is no one besides me.’ How she has become a desolation, a resting place for animals. Everyone who passes by her will hiss and wave his hand in contempt.”

I truly try not to boast about anything. Well, maybe if I kill a 16 point white-tail deer, lol. That is not likely to happen though. But I really try to not boast about myself. I have been accused of that in the past. Thinking back to my pre-Christ days and my early days as a believer, I may have been a little prideful and boasted some. The insolence of youth, right?

Reading verse 15 I am reminded of Jeremiah 9:23-24. “23 ‘This is what the LORD says: “Let no wise man boast of his wisdom, nor let the mighty man boast of his might, nor a rich man boast of his riches; 24 but let the one who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises mercy, justice, and righteousness on the earth; for I delight in these things,’ declares the LORD.” Nineveh thought they were the cat’s meow. They were prideful and boastful. But they fell. I love the last sentence of the verse. Hissing and waving of hands toward them.

APPLICATION

The application is pretty clear for us. Do not boast of yourself. You may have heard the saying about the turtle on the fence post. He didn’t get there by himself. Neither do we “get anywhere” by ourselves. It is the Lord who moves us. It is the Lord who protects us. It is the Lord who blesses us.

We should always give all the praise to Him, who is worthy of it. If we are blessed to achieve something, give Him the glory. If we are honored for something we have done, give Him the glory. If we are recognized for service we have rendered, give Him the glory. Boast only in Him.

Sometimes when I preach or sing, people come up to me and say how much they enjoyed it. I try to always just point upwards and give Him the glory. I had much rather humble myself and let the Lord exalt me that exalt myself and see the Lord humble me. So, today boast in Him. Point others to Jesus.

Everything I do, Lord, that brings me praise I lay at Your feet. Only You deserve the glory.

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Bible, Boasting, Conceit, Glory, Scripture, Thanksgiving

HIS GLORY SHOWS 

HABAKKUK 2:14

“‘For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.’”

When you read “the glory of the LORD,” what do you think about? I picture the baby Jesus lying in a manger surrounded by the shepherds. I envision Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. I can almost see the empty tomb.

When the Chaldeans are judged by God, everyone will see His glory. There will no mistaken what happened. This was God’s action against a pagan nation for thinking they deserved any glory. They had simply been used by the Lord as His instrument for a season. There was no reason to gloat.

APPLICATION

We have the privilege to reflect God’s glory to the world. When He blesses us, we need to point heavenward and give Him all the praise. When He chooses to heal us when we are sick, all the glory goes to Him.

And when things are going bad and you can’t see a way out, we still give Him the glory. God deserves our glory in good times and bad. There is not a day that goes by that we cannot find at least one reason to reflect His glory.

Of course, we are tempted to take credit, like the Chaldeans. Our flesh loves being praised. Don’t fall into that trap! Keep your focus on Jesus. He deserves all our praise every day. Will you give Him praise today? If you have selfishly taken credit for His work in your life, repent of that now. Give Him all glory.

Lord, help me keep my focus on You and not my flesh. You are worthy of all my praise.

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Bible, Conceit, Embarrassment, God's Will, Humiliation, Laughter, Scripture

WHAT ARE YOU LAUGHING AT?

HABAKKUK 1:10

“They make fun of kings, and dignitaries are an object of laughter to them. They laugh at every fortress, then heap up dirt and capture it.”

There is not anything funny about getting laughed at. Has that ever happened to you? It makes you feel small and invaluable. The ones who are laughing at you think they are better than you. Bullies love to laugh at others. Don’t be a bully. Don’t laugh at others. Laugh with them – not at them.

God is describing the Chaldeans here in verse 10 as bullies. They laugh at the kings they have defeated. They make sport of them. They look at their fortresses and act like the Big Bad Wolf, declaring they will huff and puff and blow their house down. Unfortunately for Israel, they could back up their boasting. Israel would be judged by these braggarts.

APPLICATION

Who are you laughing at? Who are you making fun of? Why? There is never a good reason to laugh and make fun of someone in order to humiliate them or shame them. I love a good laugh as much as the rest, but it must be a laugh that is welcomed and reciprocated.

The words used here for “make fun,” “laughter” and “laugh” have nothing to do with being funny. They all refer to scoffing and deriding. They are used in a negative manner each time. That is not the kind of laughter the Lord intends. He tells us in Proverbs 17:22, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” God wants us to laugh, just not at others.

I picture God as having a great sense of humor. I am not trying to be sacrilegious. I mean just look at some of the animals He created. They are hilarious. The duck-billed platypus? Come one! And the giraffe is crazy. It looks like God just stretched the neck out. So, laugh appropriately. Enjoy a good laugh. Only don’t do it at the expense of someone else.

Lord, Your Word says a merry heart has a continual feast (Proverbs 15:15). I want that.  

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Accountability, Belief, Bible, Conceit, Deceit, Denial, Direction, Following, God's Will, Judgment, Scripture, Surrender

DEVIOUS THOUGHTS 

NAHUM 1:9 

“Whatever you devise against the LORD, He will make a complete end of it. Distress will not rise up twice.” 

I have known a few people in my life who have literally shaken their fists at God. They have decided to live their lives as if He does not exist. They refuse to acknowledge Him and may even seek to mislead others. They are, in a sense, making or devising plans against God and His people.  

These people have lived for centuries. Nahum saw them in Nineveh. In fact, their king thought his success against Israel was due to his own strength and power. He quickly forgot that He was only the vessel God had used to punish Israel. As Nahum attests, God “will make a complete end of it.” No one can escape His judgment. 

APPLICATION 

Are you devising plans against God? Of course not, Carl. I would never make plans against Him. Listen, dear heart, when we do not yield to Him, we are in fact devising plans against Him. We are saying that we know better than Him. We believe our way is better.  

Our devious plans against God’s will for our lives will not succeed. When will we realize that? Sure, we may see some initial success, but it will not last. There is no eternal reward for our temporal plans. However, when we submit to Him, His plans will lead us directly into eternity. Now, that is a plan. 

Looking back at my life, I can see moments when the trajectory of my life turned toward my own selfish desires. My devious plans included choosing to do what I wanted to do, even though the Spirit within was saying something different. Hindsight is always 20/20, but God’s foresight is as well. Trust His plans. 

Lord, thank You for having the perfect plan for my life. Help to surrender to Your will. 

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Bible, Bitterness, Boasting, Conceit, Eternity, God's Will, Humility, Scripture, Witnessing

DISDAIN

MICAH 4:11

“‘And now many nations have been assembled against you who say, “Let her be defiled, and let our eyes gloat over Zion!”’”

I need to ask you a tough question. Have you ever looked with disdain on someone? You may ask, Carl, what does that mean? Well, let me explain. Disdain is the feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one’s consideration or respect. It is having contempt for that person or thing.

That was the feeling that the surrounding nations had for Israel. She (Israel) was just a piece of ground that was in their way. They saw the Israelites as beneath them. Of course, we know this feeling carried down through the ages. Everyone around them was always trying to defeat them. The Lord is simply reminding them of this.

APPLICATION

We have no right to ever look at anyone with disdain. Everyone needs Jesus. It does not matter what a person’s socioeconomic status is. It does not matter their race or ethnicity. No one should see others as beneath them. We are all in need of grace, and there is only one place to get it – Jesus.

As I travel over the globe, I get a chance to meet some incredible people. I am traveling, the Lord willing, to Burundi and Tanzania next month. I have never been to these two countries. I know I will meet a lot of people in these countries who need Jesus. Others I meet will know the Lord and are probably living for Him much better than I am. I want to learn from both groups of people.

We are in a lost world that is in need of a Savior, whether they know it or not. We cannot waste time looking down on someone. That person has a soul that will spend eternity somewhere. It is our mission as believers to try to reach them for the kingdom. So, the next time you start to think you are better than someone else, think again. The King is above us all.

I am not worthy to call You my Father, but I forever grateful You call me Your son.

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Accountability, Bible, Conceit, Deceit, Godliness, Guilt, Integrity, Modeling, Scripture, Truth

LIAR, LIAR, PANTS ON FIRE

MICAH 2:11

“‘If someone walking after wind and falsehood had lied and said, “I will prophesy to you about wine and liquor,” he would become a prophet to this people.’”

We probably all remember the childhood rant, “Liar, liar, pants on fire.” We would say that to people we caught lying about something. There is nothing good about lying. It always leads to a bad end. We find ourselves lying about the lie we just told, and then we get confused about what we said. It is a never-ending circle of lies.

These lying prophets lied for one purpose – to satisfy the ears of the people. They prophesied health and wealth. They prophesied nothing but good times. When God says they prophesied “about wine and liquor,” He is saying they are telling the people that the land will be plentiful, and they will enjoy the fruit of the vine. They found out differently.

APPLICATION

Application is always important when we look at a verse or passage of Scripture. Why else read it? Here, the application is clear. Tell the truth! Do not lie to people. Even bad news is better told than lying to cover it up. People need to know the truth, no matter how hard it might be.

But let’s think about that for a second. You also need to “speak the truth in love.” (Ephesians 4:15) We should never use the truth to hurt someone else. Some of us remember the line from “A Few Good Men.” Jack Nicholson said to Tom Cruise, “You can’t handle the truth!” Be tender when you speak truth to others. There is never any reason to be harsh in truth telling.

I am thankful that my God is truthful. He is truth and nothing but the truth. I can always depend on Him to tell me the truth. I discover His truth from His Word. Jesus tells us, “the truth shall set us free.” (John 8:32) We all want the truth. Will you accept it today?

I am so glad You only speak truth to me, Lord. I know Your truth will remain.

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