Sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference between confidence and pride. If we read the account of David and Goliath from the bible we get a glimpse of this difficulty.
You can read it here.
In one instance David asked some soldiers in the army of Israel…
“Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?” (NLT)
David was just a shepherd boy. He was not trained as a soldier and he had never seen any combat as a soldier. Yet, he basically chastised these soldiers as he heard Goliath come out and mock the army of Israel and offer up a challenge that no one was willing to respond to.
At first glance it seems a bit presumptuous and arrogant of David that he would make such a statement. How could a small shepherd boy be critical of things he knew nothing about?
If we read on however, we get a better glimpse of David’s true posture. He shares these words with the King as he is trying to persuade Saul to let him face Goliath in battle.
But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God!
What initially could be perceived as pride or arrogance is found to be something so much more. It is confidence. David’s confidence is not in his prior accomplishments but in the faithfulness of God to deliver him from the hands of the bear and the lion. It is this confidence that gives him hope and courage to stand before the mighty Goliath and believe that God would deliver him once again.
When David asked the question of the soldiers he was not mocking them. He was was giving expression to his faith in God. From David’s perspective, Goliath was only able to come out and taunt the army of Israel as long as they gave him permission to do so. David believed that with God on their side that they could have taken the valley and overrun the Philistines any time they wanted too. Including the giant Goliath.
When we think more highly of ourselves than we should then we will walk with pride. When we believe that God is who he says he is and will do what he says he will do, then we will walk with confidence. Not in ourselves but in our Father in heaven. When we do that our hearts will be better aligned with his.
Do You Walk With Confidence Or Pride?
II Corinthians 10:12…Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant! (NLT)
The problem with pride is that it causes us to think more highly of ourselves than we should. The bible gives some clear direction dealing with a few things that can cause us to be puffed up.