Rev. George Ellis
Pastor’s Corner
Today, “false confidence” is exactly what it is, FALSE. It is not real; and it is not the kind that scripture says that we should have. In fact, it is the most dangerous kind. It is the kind that always leads to a tragic end.
The fact that it is false says a lot about it.
Now confidence is a good thing. It is the one thing that I hope that we all have to a certain degree. And I believe that we all have it in something or somebody. The word itself means “the feeling that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust.”
How many of us today can say that about something or somebody? Who or what comes to your mind when you say that? Is it something that you totally depend on; is it somebody that you are looking to — your dreams and hopes built upon it?
Some people’s confidence is in their job; it is the one thing that they live for; they have built their whole lives around their employment; some people’s confidence is in their home; having what they call the dream home or just a good home, it has become the center of their lives; some people’s confidence is in their education, a good thing to pursue and have, it can open so many doors of opportunities.
And then some, their confidence is in their health and their wealth; others, their confidence is in their children, yet others is in their parents or friends; some, their spouse.
But you know life and experience are good teachers; in fact, they are the greatest teachers; for if you live long enough and experience some things you will find out quick what putting your confidence in the wrong place will do.
Can we talk about that today?
Some have put their confidence in alcohol, but it never solves problems, it creates them! Some put their confidence in drugs — it takes them out of this world away from all their troubles, but after they are stripped of everything, their families, their integrity and their dignity, they discover that it was a “false confidence!”
I wish that young folk would get this, for some put their confidence in relationships; some spend all of their youth trying to find the right relationship; they end up with an achy-breaky heart. Some are trying to love two, but that just won’t do! Being sexually promiscuous is a false confidence, for when the thrill is gone, then you are all alone. Plus there’s the aftermath of unwanted children, dead beat dads, non-child support and broken hearts.
Some put their confidence in money; the more they get, the more they want, and when they go bankrupt, or the stock market crashes, they lose their minds or commit suicide.
And what about friendships? True friendship is a good thing, but some put all of their confidence in a friend; they treat their friend like a diary, they tell them everything.
Some people put all of their confidence in their pastor; they are the best thing since sliced bread. Now friends, pastoral respect is biblical; Godly pastors that feed the flock through preaching and teaching deserve double honor as the scripture say (1 Tim. 5:17); they are to be esteemed highly for their works sake (1 Thess. 5:12,13).
But some take it to another level; they get glassy-eyed, and they take their eyes off of God and make the pastor their confidence. I know of a young man that did that; his pastor was his religion, and when his pastor ran off with all the money he lost his religion with his pastor. False confidence!
How many of us have had a letdown in any of the above? We have been hurt, broken, shed tears, had headaches and had our heart split straight down the middle by one of the above. We made the mistake of putting too much confidence in one or the other.
Then the lesson to you today is that your confidence is in the wrong place! And I say that because how many know that children will get amnesia sometimes; they forget all that their parents sacrificed for them. Visit some of the convalescent homes and you will see parents who have been placed there and forgotten about; it’s a sad commentary.
Friendships have proven to be not so friendly … spouses that have made vows, have not all been faithful to the vows they made … jobs can come and go; get old or get to sick, and some will forget your faithful service. Aand as far as your health is concerned, you can be up today and down tomorrow!
My community family, we can’t even put confidence in ourselves! The flesh is something (Rom. 7:18)! Some look to themselves for salvation … false confidence! If you are a Christian believer, and you don’t have any joy, then look at where your confidence is. To those who are not saved and not satisfied, you have placed your confidence in the things of this world. Understand that the things and people of this world can never satisfy or bring fulfillment.
Readers, what good is money, fame, education, jobs, houses, health, relationships but you don’t have Christ? “False confidence!” The Apostle Paul got it right. He said, “What things were gain to me, I counted loss for Christ (Phil. 3:7).” Jim Elliot said, “He is no fool to give what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
Community, trusting in anything other than Christ is “False Confidence.”
The Rev. George Ellis is the pastor at Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church.