Proverbs 3:5-7

While striving for position is an obvious work of the flesh, conceit can come in more subtle forms that will still prohibit the fullness of Christ’s mind. For example, the proverbs warn against leaning on our own understanding, as well as being wise in our own eyes (Proverbs 3:5-7). Both come under the umbrella of conceit.

We are more likely to grow in Christ’s mind when we acknowledge that we could be wrong, and we don’t have it all figured out. Remember, God’s apostle said we know “in part” and we teach “in part.” But leaning on our understanding—maybe in the form of credentials—and believing that we could not be mistaken are forms of conceit that inhibit the further development of the mind of Christ. Conceit is the mental equivalent of “in need of nothing.” We already have it all. Yet Paul says what we have is fragmentary.