Galatians 6:3
“For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.”
This is a universal problem. We all have an inflated view of ourselves. Some are more brazen and intentional, while others it's a blindspot. Wisdom by living life brings insight. As we come to Christ, we learn much. A primary lesson is that we are in a sinful state that we can't fix. We need the forgiveness that Jesus purchased for us. That's the beginning of a road that has us learning humility and dependance on God.
Jesus says in John 15:5, "I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." With Him we are enough, without Him we're nothing.
Some my ask, how do we build self esteem, if we're nothing? He's given us talents and gifts which gives us competence and self confidence. As we complete tasks successfully we feel good about ourselves.
Romans 12:3 gives us a balance. "For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith." We are to have a right view of ourselves.
Today's verse speaks of an inaccurate view of self. Thinking that we are better than we are. The context of the passage is about speaking to those who have fallen into error and how we are to gently speak to them. We are to do so humbly, as we could easily be in their shoes. So, don't have an inaccurate view of self or we could be in danger of falling.
The Lord is a great teacher. We will run into circumstances in which we have difficulty, even in our areas of competence. We go to the Lord for help. We are to trust Him in all areas, even in those in which are strength. These are great reminders that we are in His hands.
Lord, thank You for the forgiveness that we could have never earned. Thank You for the gifts and talents you've given. Thank You also for the reminders that we always need You.