DRUNK WITH SELF ESTIMATION
An Exhortation - by C.R. Martin
Romans 12:3
-
"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to
every man that is
among you, not to think of himself more highly
than he ought to think;
but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt
to every man the
measure of faith."
There is so much in this verse!!! But the part I want to address is the phrase "...but to think soberly...".
It is possible to be "drunk" or overly passionate concerning your own ministry and calling. To be sober in mind means to be realistic and conservative.
Paul here is telling us to estimate our giftings, callings, and ministries according to the abilities that have manifested in our lives. If you do not manifest the giftings of a Prophet, you are not a Prophet. If you do not manifest the giftings of an Apostle, you are not an Apostle. If you do not have a burden for the lost and an irresistible pressing to put forth the Word of God, you are not called to the ministry.
If you are called to a specific ministry, He will give you the manifestations to fulfill that ministry. We are to think soberly on this matter, and estimate who and what we are according to these manifestations, not according to our own passion and desire.
If you have ever ministered to drunks, or just been around them, you will know that they all think they are supermen. They can solve all the problems of the world, they can beat Mike Tyson to a pulp, they can pay off the national debt in 6 months (they just can't seem to get out of bed!).
This is what happens when we become drunk with our own passion. We imagine ourselves to be apostles, and that we can go out and raise the dead. Worse is what happens when you disagree with a drunk. They will always become offended and want to fight you!
This is also true with those who are drunk with their own passion. Suggest that they are not apostles or prophets, and you may have a fight on your hands.
Let us be sober, realistic, and conservative when estimating ourselves and our callings. Let our ministries be verified by the manifestations of the Spirit that occur in our lives, and not by our own imaginations. Let us be humble toward each other and speak the truth in love.
C. Alan Martin