Dependent on Christ: Cultivating confidence in Him

Self-esteem, self-confidence, self-worth.

All these words start with the same word: self.

Many of us would like to have more confidence, to shed insecurities and be ourselves without shame or fear, to believe we have worth and significance without having to earn it or prove it.

But when confidence starts with self, it becomes pride.

In our vocabulary there is healthy pride, which could also be called self-esteem or self-respect.

But unhealthy pride-the sinful pride Scripture warns us against-puts self at the center. It says we are sufficient in and of ourselves-that we can do what really only God can do, and so don’t need Him. Or at least, don’t need Him completely and desperately.

That may seem like an extreme way of putting it, but there are many ways this belief of self-sufficiency can show up:

-Relying on our own strength and understanding instead of God’s

-Not asking for help or advice because we don’t want to seem needy

-Doing good things to check the boxes of being a good Christian

-Always being productive in a way that keeps us from stillness and rest

-Perfectionism

-Judging others

-Being unreceptive to constructive criticism

-Being more concerned with outward appearance than inward character

-Selfishness

-Worrying about the future in an attempt to control possible outcomes

In Philippians 3:5-6, the writer Paul lists several reasons he could take pride in himself, but in the very next verses, he declares, “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” (Phil. 3:7-9, NIV)

We can’t put confidence in our self-sufficiency because we are not sufficient in ourselves. We need Jesus.

True confidence comes not from starting with self, but from starting with Jesus-placing our confidence in His love for us, His care for us, His wisdom for us, His plan for us, His sufficiency for us.

Pride keeps us from having confidence in Christ because it keeps us from living in dependence on Christ.

We become more confident in Christ when we lay down our pride, removing self from the center of our confidence, worth, and significance, and centering these around our relationship with Jesus instead.

This removal of self doesn’t mean we don’t have our own unique personalities. When we are confident in Christ, resting in His sufficiency for us, then our true selves--our God-given personalities, gifts, and passions--can shine bright for His glory as we share His love and goodness with those around us.

Scripture for meditation
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
(Philippians 3:7-9, NIV)

Prompts for reflection and journaling
In what areas are you prone to pride in self?
Where in your life do you need to place your confidence in Christ’s sufficiency for you?

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