May 8                                         1 Sam 4 - 7

OVERCONFLDENCE

MEMORISE: 'Wherefore let him that thinketh He standeth take heed lest he falls.' (1 Cor 10:12)
READ: 1 Samuel 17:44-47

It is good to confidence, but to be overconfident is very dangerous. Over confidence is the twin brother of pride. When Goliath came to fight David, he was overconfident of his size, power and past successes and therefore saw his opponent as a mismatch. He thought he had won the fight even before starting it, but few minutes into the battle, David, whose trust was in the Lord, cut off his head. Believers must beware of this death trap. The one who is overconfident is relying on his own ability, experience and knowledge. God is completely left out. Many people have failed examinations because of this. It is dangerous physically and even more dangerous spiritually.

'Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he falls' (1 Cor 10:12). A certain brother, mightily used of God, was told to be careful with the opposite sex, but he bragged that he knew the difference between love and lust. He was overconfident. Before long, he had put one of the sisters in the family way and had become a reproach both to the brethren and to unbelievers.

Peter was one person who thought his zeal could always carry him through. When the Lord called him and warned him of Satan's desire to use him, peter boasted and said nothing could affect his resolve to die with the Lord. Jesus then clearly revealed to Peter he would thrice deny his master within 24 hours, but peter was overconfident and that prediction came to pass. Overconfidence destroys. A student once excelled in a mock Economics examination and his teacher praised his mature answers. It went to his head. He thought he had mastered the subject, so he relaxed and prepared more for others. During the final examination, he performed far less well than expected.

Overconfidence makes you to rub shoulders with God. Pride goeth before a fall. Watch that area where you are expressing so much trust and confidence in yourself: you will fall. Put your complete trust in the Lord. That is the only way not to be disappointed. Men, relatives, your money or popularity can fail you. But if you trust wholeheartedly in the Lord, he will not let you down.

ACTION POINT
Ask God to destroy the strongholds of every spirit of pride
And overconfidence in your life today.