Two kinds of Confidence.
There is
Both can be equally strong yet they can also be the very opposite. To have confidence in self in the wrong sense, is exactly the opposite of confidence in God. It is believing you can achieve something solely by yourself, without God or his provisions and empowering.
· confidence (trust) in self (self-confidence) and
· confidence (trust) in God.
Both can be equally strong yet they can also be the very opposite. To have confidence in self in the wrong sense, is exactly the opposite of confidence in God. It is believing you can achieve something solely by yourself, without God or his provisions and empowering.
There also can be
· goodself-confidence and
· badself-confidence
Self-confidence in the wrong sense is not the same as saying we are confident/believe in and are thankful for the Gifts God has given us (to"self"), as long as we recognize they are gifts (i.e. not created or sustained by us/self).
This is a kind of "self-confidence" but in this instance our confidence is ultimately in God because we recognize all we have and are comes from him i.e. everything is a gift from the source of those gifts, God himself.
This kind of confidence is the fruit of humility; the belief we are who and what we are because these were given to us. The opposite of arrogance.
This is a kind of "self-confidence" but in this instance our confidence is ultimately in God because we recognize all we have and are comes from him i.e. everything is a gift from the source of those gifts, God himself.
This kind of confidence is the fruit of humility; the belief we are who and what we are because these were given to us. The opposite of arrogance.
But it is a confidence in what we have, nevertheless; confidence in the abilities, strengths and gifts God has given. In this sense it is "self confidence."
It is ok to believe in the person God has made you to be. In fact if you don't you won't use all he's given you to accomplish what he gave it for i.e. his glory and our joy.
It is ok to believe in the person God has made you to be. In fact if you don't you won't use all he's given you to accomplish what he gave it for i.e. his glory and our joy.
We can and should have confidence in the "self. " God has created and is making us to be, not an independent "self-made" self that attempts to advance self instead of God.
The gifts God gives to us (to"self") consist in the very *Spirit of God first along with the various spiritual gifts he gives us as well as our natural abilities (e.g. athletic, intellectual, artistic etc) and the physical or material resources God has provided along with the maturity he has developed into our lives. It is all from him and we can have absolute confidence in using all these things to advance his purposes when we to do so for his honor/ glory. This is in fact the very reason he gives them and all things.
In fact when we faithfully put to use the gifts he gives, he gives us more.
"His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ - Jesus, Mat 25:21
Gift defined
The word "gift" in the New Testament so happens to be the same word used for grace. Paul says he boasts in (has confidence in) the gospel of grace, God's ultimate gift to each of us. So we too can and should boast.
1Co_1:31 so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
2Co_10:17 "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
Gal_6:14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Rom For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
χάρις - charis
Thayer Definition:
1) grace
1a) that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech
2) good will, loving-kindness, favour
2a) of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues
3) what is due to grace
3a) the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace
3b) the token or proof of grace, benefit
3b1) a gift of grace
3b2) benefit, bounty
4) thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward
Strong's Definition:
χάρις - charis - khar'-ece
From G5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude): - acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace (-ious), joy liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, -worthy).
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*And by God's Spirit we know his love for us. This (God himself as Spirit/Love) is the ultimate gift and the source of power that moves and empowers us to pursue God and honor him. So we not only have abilities given to us by God but also the very love and desire to pursue God is a gift from him i.e. it is caused/inpired by his infinite love for us.
For a discussion on how the Spirit of God moves us to obedience click here.
For a discussion on what it means to operated in the Spirit click here.
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*And by God's Spirit we know his love for us. This (God himself as Spirit/Love) is the ultimate gift and the source of power that moves and empowers us to pursue God and honor him. So we not only have abilities given to us by God but also the very love and desire to pursue God is a gift from him i.e. it is caused/inpired by his infinite love for us.
For a discussion on how the Spirit of God moves us to obedience click here.
For a discussion on what it means to operated in the Spirit click here.
