Navigating our faith journey with confidence while steering clear of arrogance is a delicate balance. Here are five biblical ways to cultivate a confident yet humble Christian walk, ensuring our faith shines brightly without casting shadows of pride.
1. Embrace Confidence, Eschew Presumption
Confidence in our walk with Christ is essential, yet it’s crucial to distinguish this from presumption. Being confident doesn’t mean taking our salvation for granted or using it as an excuse to sin. The Apostle Paul challenges us to a reflective faith: “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test” (2 Corinthians 13:5). This introspection keeps our confidence from slipping into carelessness.
2. Boldness Anchored in Obedience
The Apostles Peter and John exemplify boldness without arrogance. After being jailed for preaching Christ, they were ordered to stop. Their response? A resolute commitment to obey God over man: “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20). Their prayer for boldness was a request to continue God’s work, not a display of self-assurance.
3. Assurance Versus Overconfidence
While we can and should have assurance in our salvation, overconfidence can lead to spiritual pitfalls. Paul warns, “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). This reminder cautions us against comparing ourselves to others to validate our righteousness. Our benchmark is Christ, not those around us, keeping us from the trap of arrogance.
4. Humility: The Heart of Salvation
Why are we saved? It’s purely because of God’s love and grace, not because of anything inherently deserving in us. As Paul explains, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Recognizing that we are saved by grace fosters humility, leaving no room for arrogance.
5. Grounded in the Word
Knowing God’s Word deeply instills a confident assurance in our salvation and guides how we live out our faith. The Apostle John reassures us, “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers” (1 John 3:14). Familiarity with scripture reinforces that confidence is rooted in God’s promises, not in our merits.
Conclusion: A Balanced Approach to Faith
Confidence in our faith journey is both possible and necessary, but it must always be tempered with humility. By continually examining our hearts, seeking boldness for the right reasons, understanding the source of our salvation, and deeply engaging with scripture, we can live out a faith that confidently reflects Christ’s love without slipping into arrogance. Let’s walk this path with both assurance and humility, embodying the grace that we have been so freely given.
