You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Arrogance is welded into our sinful human nature. Although there is a rightful pride in using our gifts well and wisely as gifts from God (the joy of being 'fit for purpose' - Galatians 6:4), comparative pride is wicked. That error starts with a false estimate of ourselves. Usually we think that we are better than others, but some people have an inverted pride and insist that they are worse than everybody else: both are expressions of self-centred pride.
Paul says that every believer should come to an accurate view of their character, gifts and abilities - without any comparison to others. To say that we are 'rubbish' is a denial of our Saviour's grace, and to think that we are better than others is either to judge others, or to ignore our own weakness and failings. So, how do we come to a right view of ourselves? We need guidance from the Word and Spirit. However we often find that two things are true about us at the same time: we are gifted by God, but we cannot do everything. We serve because we are gifted, but often fall back on our own fleshly ability rather than relying on His strength. Understanding ourselves requires honesty about both.
The Holy Spirit will teach us how to compare our lives with the Word, which is designed to teach, rebuke, correct and train us in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). But we need to be willing. Every believer ought to audit their lives, checking if what we think about ourselves is true. Satan operates in the shadows of half truths and wants us to believe them. For evil to take hold, it is either necessary to have a wrong belief about our Saviour God, or a wrong belief about ourselves. Those who are confident that they know the gospel, but do not understand themselves are in serious spiritual danger. So start a personal audit today, without comparing yourself to others. Then ask the Lord what He wants you to do.
Prayer: God of all truth. Thank You for knowing the truth about me and for revealing Yourself to me in the Bible. I am sorry when I have lived in a fog of lies, either not knowing You or what I am really like. I really do want to live in the light with You and so ask You to show me what I need to know about myself, and also how Your wonderful grace can cover my sin and lead me in righteousness. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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