Confidence Vs. Pride

Barry Sanders and Deion Sanders both worked hard and were considered good teammates. But their public personas were very different. Deion was known as “Prime Time”—flashy, loud, and proud.

Barry was just the opposite. When he scored a touchdown, he handed the ball to the official and went back to the bench. In postgame interviews, he would praise the linemen who blocked for him.

Both players got a lot of attention for their accomplishments, but Deion got even more for his showmanship. Deion still commands the spotlight, but these days, it’s mostly to talk about the Lord.

Confidence is a good quality to have. It’s a realization that God has given us certain abilities and created us to fulfill a unique role that no one else can fill. It’s a humble recognition that life is not about us but about using our gifts and abilities to their fullest to help others and contribute to society. Pride, on the other hand, is all about building ourselves up in the eyes of others. If we want to keep from falling, we need to learn the difference.

His Promises

Pride goes before destruction,

and haughtiness before a fall.

It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.

I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will.