Read: Romans 12:3-8; Matthew 5:5
. . . not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think. (Rom. 12:3)
When I grew up, the most important superhero was Superman, identified by the big letter S on his chest. He was a force for good, but he often acted alone. There’s a great spiritual danger of wearing a metaphorical S on our own chests.
In verse 3, Paul uses the Greek verb hyperphroneō, which means to “think more highly of yourself.” We could think of it like acting as a spiritual Superman. Reading Romans from the end, we realize that Paul was thinking of believers in Jesus who were from Gentile backgrounds, close to Roman power, and claiming special privilege, yet despising their believing Jewish brothers and sisters. Perhaps Paul was also identifying Jewish believers who were demanding status because they had the heritage of Israel, and they looked down on their believing Gentile brothers or sisters.
The solution to spiritual arrogance is sober judgment: each member of the church should make a thoughtful assessment of their spiritual gift and offer this for the unity of the Christian community. Just as the physical body needs various parts, so believers need each other. Spiritual gifts have something to do with natural temperament, but also are a matter of grace (v. 6). God’s grace enhances our natural abilities and sometimes brings out a gift that we never realized was there.
What spiritual gift can you offer to bring life and unity to the Christian community today?
As you pray, ask God to guide you in seeing what you can offer others.
Kent Fry is a retired pastor and visiting research fellow at the Van Raalte Institute in Holland, Michigan. He and his wife, Joyce, are active members of Second Reformed Church in Zeeland, Michigan. Kent is an active cyclist, and he and Joyce enjoy time with their children and grandchildren.
