What does the Bible teach about having confidence in God versus self-confidence?

In our journey through life, we often find ourselves grappling with the concept of confidence. Society frequently emphasizes the importance of self-confidence, encouraging us to believe in our abilities and trust in our own strength. However, as Christians, we are called to a different kind of confidence—one that is rooted in our faith in God rather than in ourselves. The Bible provides profound insights into this distinction, guiding us towards a life that is anchored in divine assurance rather than self-reliance.

The Bible consistently teaches that our confidence should be placed in God rather than in ourselves. One of the foundational verses that speaks to this is Proverbs 3:5-6, which states, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." This passage underscores the importance of trusting in God's wisdom and guidance rather than relying solely on our own understanding and abilities. It calls us to submit our ways to Him, acknowledging that His plans for us are far greater and more perfect than anything we could devise on our own.

The prophet Jeremiah also speaks to this theme in Jeremiah 17:7-8: "But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Here, the imagery of a tree planted by the water illustrates the stability and flourishing that come from placing our confidence in God. Unlike self-confidence, which can be shaken by life's challenges and uncertainties, confidence in God provides a steadfast foundation that sustains us through all circumstances.

The New Testament continues this theme, particularly in the teachings of the Apostle Paul. In Philippians 4:13, Paul declares, "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." This verse is often cited as a source of encouragement, but it is crucial to understand that the strength Paul refers to is not his own but that which comes from Christ. Paul is emphasizing that his ability to endure and accomplish all things is rooted in his reliance on Jesus, not in his own power or capabilities.

Paul further elaborates on this idea in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, where he recounts how the Lord responded to his plea for relief from a "thorn in the flesh": "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." Paul's words highlight a profound paradox of the Christian faith: true strength and confidence are found not in our own abilities, but in our recognition of our weaknesses and our dependence on God's grace and power.

The Psalms also offer rich insights into the nature of confidence in God. Psalm 27:1 declares, "The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?" This verse encapsulates the fearlessness that comes from trusting in God's protection and salvation. Similarly, Psalm 46:1-3 provides a powerful depiction of God's unwavering presence and support: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." These passages remind us that our confidence in God is rooted in His unchanging nature and His promise to be with us in every trial.

In contrast to the biblical emphasis on confidence in God, the Bible also warns against the dangers of self-confidence. Proverbs 28:26 cautions, "Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe." This verse starkly contrasts the folly of self-reliance with the safety that comes from walking in God's wisdom. Similarly, James 4:13-16 warns against the arrogance of planning our lives without acknowledging God's sovereignty: "Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.' As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil." James reminds us of the transient nature of our lives and the importance of submitting our plans to God's will, rather than arrogantly assuming control over our own destinies.

The distinction between confidence in God and self-confidence is also evident in the lives of biblical figures. Consider the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. David, a young shepherd boy, faced the giant Goliath not with confidence in his own strength, but with unwavering faith in God's power. In 1 Samuel 17:45-47, David declares to Goliath, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands." David's confidence was not in his own ability to defeat Goliath, but in the Lord's power to deliver him.

Similarly, the story of Gideon in Judges 6-7 illustrates the transformative power of confidence in God. When God called Gideon to save Israel from the Midianites, Gideon initially doubted his own abilities, saying, "My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family" (Judges 6:15). However, God assured Gideon of His presence, saying, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive" (Judges 6:16). With God's guidance, Gideon led a small, unlikely army to victory, demonstrating that true confidence comes from trusting in God's strength rather than our own.

In the Christian life, confidence in God and self-confidence are not mutually exclusive, but they must be rightly ordered. Self-confidence, when rooted in an understanding of our identity in Christ and our dependence on God's grace, can be a healthy and positive attribute. The Apostle Paul, for example, was confident in his calling and mission because he knew that his strength and authority came from God. In 2 Corinthians 3:4-5, Paul writes, "Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God."

Ultimately, the Bible teaches us that our confidence should be anchored in God, who is our Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer. This confidence is not a passive resignation, but an active trust in God's promises and His character. It empowers us to face life's challenges with courage, knowing that we are not alone and that God's purposes for us are good. As we grow in our faith, may we continually seek to place our confidence in the One who is faithful and true, and may we find our strength and security in His unchanging love.