How Do You View Yourself?

True Worshipers Are Not Immune To Pride

Jehovah requires that we be 'modest in walking with our God.' (Micah 6:8) The Bible contains various accounts of individuals who failed to maintain a modest view of themselves. This brought them problems and grief. Considering some of these examples can help us to see the folly and danger of unbalanced thinking.

The thinking of God's prophet Jonah became so unbalanced that he tried to run away when he was divinely commissioned to warn the wicked people of Nineveh about Jehovah's judgment against them. (Jonah 1:1-3) Later when his preaching activity had succeeded in causing the Ninevites to repent, Jonah sulked. He was so concerned about his own reputation as a prophet that the lives of thousands of Ninevites were of little or no concern to him. (Jonah 4:1-3) If we immodestly take ourselves too seriously, we may find it difficult to maintain a fair and accurate perspective of people and events around us.

Consider also Uzziah, who had been a good king of Judah. When he became unbalanced in his thinking, he arrogantly tried to unsurp certain priestly duties. For his immodest and highly presumptuous actions, he paid with his health and loss of divine approval. - 2 Chronicles 26:3, 16-21.

Unbalanced thinking nearly ensnared Jesus' apostles. They became very concerned with personal glory and power. When the time of great test came, they abandoned Jesus and fled. (Matthew 18:1; 20:20-28; 26:56; Mark 9:33, 34; Luke 22:24) Their lack of modesty and their thoughts of self-importance almost caused them to lose sight of Jehovah's purpose and of their role in connection with his will.

Next time: Harmful Effects Of Self-Importance

Watchtower, 2000