Self-confidence, in a biblical context, refers to the assurance one places in their own abilities, judgment, and resources. While the Bible acknowledges the importance of confidence, it consistently emphasizes that true confidence should be rooted in God rather than in oneself.

Biblical Perspective on Self-Confidence

The Bible presents a nuanced view of self-confidence, often warning against the dangers of relying solely on one's own strength and understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This passage underscores the importance of placing trust in God rather than in human wisdom.

Examples of Misplaced Self-Confidence

Several biblical narratives illustrate the pitfalls of misplaced self-confidence. One notable example is the account of King Saul, who, in his self-reliance, disobeyed God's commands. In 1 Samuel 13:11-13 , Saul's impatience and self-confidence led him to offer a burnt offering, a task reserved for the prophet Samuel. This act of disobedience resulted in God's rejection of Saul as king.

Similarly, the account of Peter's denial of Christ highlights the danger of overestimating one's own strength. Despite Peter's confident assertion that he would never deny Jesus, he did so three times (Matthew 26:33-34, 69-75). This account serves as a reminder of human frailty and the need for reliance on divine strength.

Positive Aspects of Confidence in God

While the Bible cautions against self-reliance, it encourages confidence that is grounded in faith in God. Philippians 4:13 states, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." This verse highlights the empowerment that comes from reliance on Christ rather than on personal abilities.

The Apostle Paul exemplifies this God-centered confidence. In 2 Corinthians 3:4-5 , he writes, "Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God." Paul's acknowledgment of his dependence on God serves as a model for believers to follow.

Balancing Self-Confidence and Humility

The Bible encourages a balance between self-confidence and humility. Romans 12:3 advises, "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you." This verse calls for a realistic assessment of one's abilities, recognizing that all gifts and talents are ultimately from God.

Conclusion

The biblical view of self-confidence is one that prioritizes trust in God over reliance on oneself. While acknowledging the value of confidence, Scripture consistently points believers towards a humble dependence on God's strength and guidance.(n.) The quality or state of being self-confident; self-reliance.212. alazoneia -- boastfulness
... boasting, pride, arrogance. From alazon; braggadocio, ie (by implication)
self-confidence -- boasting, pride. see GREEK alazon. (alazoneia) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/212.htm - 7k

Knowledge and Self-Confidence
... KNOWLEDGE AND SELF-CONFIDENCE. Knowledge of the civil law will, likewise,
be necessary for the orator whom we have described, and ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/knowledge and self-confidence.htm

The Words of Abbot Serapion on the Decline of Thoughts that are ...
... Chapter XI. The words of Abbot Serapion on the decline of thoughts that are
exposed to others, and also on the danger of self-confidence. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xi the words of.htm

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The Work of the Holy Spirit
... righteous tendencies; you will not discover a believer who has not at certain periods
in his life, to groan because the spirit of self-confidence has risen in ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the work of the holy.htm

1 Corinthians xiii. 11
... vigour and power, and as this vigour and power confer an importance on their possessor,
which is the case especially at schools, so self-confidence must in one ...
/.../arnold/the christian life/lecture ii 1 corinthians xiii.htm

The Self Life.
... understand about the glory, "Thou art the Son of God;" but about the cross and the
death he could not understand, and he ventured in his self-confidence to say ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the masters indwelling/ii the self life.htm

A Rash Vow
... Perhaps there was as much self-confidence as faith in it. ... Self-confidence shuts a
man out from the help of God, and so shuts him out from the source of power. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/a rash vow.htm

Peter's Denial and Repentance.
... And when he found himself the only one who had courage to follow to the palace,
his besetting self-confidence returned and led him into circumstances for which ...
/.../xviii peters denial and repentance.htm

The Maniac
... believes in himself. Complete self-confidence is not merely a sin; complete
self-confidence is a weakness. Believing utterly in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/orthodoxy/ii the maniac.htm

The vicariousness of Prayer
... In these, experience brings facility, a sense of mastery in the subject,
self-satisfaction, self-confidence; but in our subject the more we pursue it, the ...
/.../forsyth/the soul of prayer/chapter vi the vicariousness of.htm

Self-confidence (2 Occurrences)
Self-confidence. Self-condemned, Self-confidence. Self-congratulations . Noah
Webster's Dictionary ... Multi-Version Concordance Self-confidence (2 Occurrences) ...
/s/self-confidence.htm - 7k

Assurance (16 Occurrences)
... It is the exact opposite of self-confidence, being a joyous appropriation and
experience of the fullness of Christ-a glad sense of security, freedom and ...
/a/assurance.htm - 16k

Sufficiency (18 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Supply equal to wants; ample stock or fund. 5. (n.) Conceit; self-confidence;
self-sufficiency. Multi-Version Concordance Sufficiency (18 Occurrences). ...
/s/sufficiency.htm - 12k

Self-condemned (1 Occurrence)
Self-condemned. Self-conceit, Self-condemned. Self-confidence . ... (WEB WEY ASV
DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV). Self-conceit, Self-condemned. Self-confidence . ...
/s/self-condemned.htm - 6k

Self-congratulations (1 Occurrence)
Self-congratulations. Self-confidence, Self-congratulations. Selfcontrol . ...
(WEY). Self-confidence, Self-congratulations. Selfcontrol . Reference Bible.
/s/self-congratulations.htm - 6k

Folly (68 Occurrences)
...Self-confidence appears (Proverbs 14:16; Proverbs 28:26); ignorance (Ecclesiastes
2:14); hate of instruction (Proverbs 1:22; Proverbs 18:2); thoughtlessness ...
/f/folly.htm - 39k

Elihu (11 Occurrences)
... whirlwind is: "darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge." Elihu thus has a real
function in the story, as honorable as overweening self-confidence is apt ...
/e/elihu.htm - 15k

Fool (95 Occurrences)
...Self-confidence appears (Proverbs 14:16; Proverbs 28:26); ignorance (Ecclesiastes
2:14); hate of instruction (Proverbs 1:22; Proverbs 18:2); thoughtlessness ...
/f/fool.htm - 47k

Mere (56 Occurrences)
... flames. (WEY). James 4:16 But, as the case stands, it is in mere
self-confidence that you boast: all such boasting is evil. (WEY). ...
/m/mere.htm - 22k

Stands (111 Occurrences)
... alone. (WEY). James 4:16 But, as the case stands, it is in mere
self-confidence that you boast: all such boasting is evil. (WEY). ...
/s/stands.htm - 34k

What does the Bible say about confidence? | GotQuestions.org

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