"They close up their callous hearts, and their mouths speak with arrogance." (Psalm 17:10)
To counter someone's arrogance or overconfidence, to remind them to stay humble and realistic about their abilities or their actual part played in some recollected account of events, a common saying is, "Don't flatter yourself".
Flattering yourself, or even someone else, can be the same as lying, with same damaging consequences.
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." (Philippians 2:3-4)
"Let no man flatter himself; of himself he is only a devil; his happiness he owes entirely to God. What have you but sin? Take your sin which is your own; for righteousness is of God." Saint Augustine
This famous phrase "let no man flatter himself," attributed to Saint Augustine, emphasizes the importance of humility and accurate self-awareness. We should not elevate ourselves or our achievements above what they truly are. "The quote encourages individuals to recognize their own faults and take responsibility for their actions, leaving righteousness to God."
(Escritas.org)
John Calvin reminds us that what is needed is "genuine confession, not false defiance."
Many a person has written many a book, most about themselves, and mostly displaying false defiance, exaggeration, lies and self-flattery, attempting to elevate themselves above the reality that is their true self.
These authors will bend the truth, exaggerate, and eventually just make things up in their attempt to make themselves look and sound good. But lies are still lies, and the damage they do is still very real. They turn their legacy into a lie, and no one knows which parts are true and which parts are fabrication. The end result is that all is tainted.
When a person truthfully assesses himself and admits he is nothing in himself, the battle is won. Once he realizes his state of complete and utter dependence upon God, the war is over. (Paraphrasing Calvin).
This state of conviction of sin, and the realization of one's desperate need of Jesus the Christ to save them, is ultimately an act of God in one's life. The Holy Spirit alone can bring a person to such a realization and the accompanying sense of urgency to receive Christ's gift of salvation.
"Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:4)
"But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!” But as for me, I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; Lord, do not delay." (Psalm 70:4-5)
To counter someone's arrogance or overconfidence, to remind them to stay humble and realistic about their abilities or their actual part played in some recollected account of events, a common saying is, "Don't flatter yourself".
Flattering yourself, or even someone else, can be the same as lying, with same damaging consequences.
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." (Philippians 2:3-4)
"Let no man flatter himself; of himself he is only a devil; his happiness he owes entirely to God. What have you but sin? Take your sin which is your own; for righteousness is of God." Saint Augustine
This famous phrase "let no man flatter himself," attributed to Saint Augustine, emphasizes the importance of humility and accurate self-awareness. We should not elevate ourselves or our achievements above what they truly are. "The quote encourages individuals to recognize their own faults and take responsibility for their actions, leaving righteousness to God."
(Escritas.org)
John Calvin reminds us that what is needed is "genuine confession, not false defiance."
Many a person has written many a book, most about themselves, and mostly displaying false defiance, exaggeration, lies and self-flattery, attempting to elevate themselves above the reality that is their true self.
These authors will bend the truth, exaggerate, and eventually just make things up in their attempt to make themselves look and sound good. But lies are still lies, and the damage they do is still very real. They turn their legacy into a lie, and no one knows which parts are true and which parts are fabrication. The end result is that all is tainted.
When a person truthfully assesses himself and admits he is nothing in himself, the battle is won. Once he realizes his state of complete and utter dependence upon God, the war is over. (Paraphrasing Calvin).
This state of conviction of sin, and the realization of one's desperate need of Jesus the Christ to save them, is ultimately an act of God in one's life. The Holy Spirit alone can bring a person to such a realization and the accompanying sense of urgency to receive Christ's gift of salvation.
"Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:4)
"But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!” But as for me, I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; Lord, do not delay." (Psalm 70:4-5)
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