True Confidence

In a world obsessed with self-promotion and personal achievement, the question of where we find our confidence has never been more relevant. Some people seem to burst with self-assurance, ready to tackle any challenge without hesitation. Others struggle with crippling self-doubt, questioning every decision and shying away from opportunities. Most of us find ourselves somewhere in between, oscillating between confidence and insecurity depending on the day.

But what if our confidence doesn't have to depend on our circumstances, our abilities, or other people's opinions? What if there's a source of confidence that remains steady regardless of our performance or feelings?

True, godly confidence begins in a place that seems counterintuitive: humility. We often think of humility and confidence as opposites, but they're actually inseparable companions in the life of a believer.

Humility isn't about thinking less of ourselves. Rather, it's about thinking of ourselves less. It's dependence on God that generates strength and confidence used in service to others. When we approach life with humility, we place our confidence in God rather than in ourselves. We set aside our own goals and ambitions to focus on what God desires for us.

Jesus himself modeled this perfectly. Despite having all authority and power, he described himself as "gentle and lowly in heart" (Matthew 11:29). He invited those who were weary and burdened to come to him for rest, not because of his impressive credentials, but because of his humble, gentle nature. Though he possessed equality with God, he didn't grasp at it but humbled himself (Philippians 2:6-8).

This is where confident living begins—not with puffing ourselves up, but with positioning ourselves under God's authority and depending on his strength.

The battles we face in life aren't merely physical or circumstantial—they're spiritual. And spiritual battles require spiritual weapons.

Paul used the imagery of ancient warfare—armies laying siege to walled cities, using battering rams and catapults to break through defenses. But he made it clear that our warfare isn't conducted with human weapons. The weapons at our disposal "have divine power to destroy strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:4).

What are these weapons? Truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer (Ephesians 6:14-18). These aren't tools we manufacture through our own effort or intelligence. They're spiritual realities that God provides.

This means our confidence should never rest in human strength, ability, intelligence, or effort. We're not fighting merely human battles, so human resources will always fall short. Our confidence must be in the divine power at work within us.

How often do we exhaust ourselves trying to overcome obstacles through sheer willpower or cleverness, forgetting that we have access to resources far beyond our natural capabilities?

One of the hallmarks of genuine confidence is consistency. People who are truly confident in Christ don't change their behavior based on their audience. They're the same at church as they are at home, the same at work as they are with friends, the same in public as they are in private.

It's easy to put on a spiritual mask on Sunday morning and take it off the moment we leave the parking lot. We can be kind and patient in church, then transform into road-rage monsters behind the wheel. We can be gracious in person but become internet trolls when protected by anonymity.

But healthy Christ-followers maintain consistency across all contexts. Why? Because their confidence doesn't come from managing their image or impressing others. It comes from the Spirit at work inside them, which doesn't change based on location or audience.

This kind of consistency is only possible when our confidence is rooted in something deeper than circumstances or social pressure.

Few things erode confidence faster than constant comparison with others. In our hyper-connected world, we're bombarded with images of people who seem smarter, more successful, more attractive, more talented, or more spiritual than we are.

The comparison game is rigged—there will always be someone better at something. No matter how skilled you become, someone else has already mastered it more thoroughly. The internet will always show you a better way to do whatever you're trying to do.

When we constantly measure ourselves against others, we either become discouraged (because someone is better) or prideful (because we're better than someone else). Neither response is healthy.

Some people try to boost their confidence by looking down on others: "At least I'm doing better than that person." But this is just pride masquerading as confidence.

Others surround themselves with like-minded friends and assume that if everyone in their circle is doing similar things, they must be on the right track. But what if the whole group is heading in the wrong direction?

The antidote to comparison is focusing on what Jesus thinks of us. If the King of the universe loves us unconditionally, if he created us intentionally and uniquely, if he's given us specific gifts and passions—that's all that matters. Living our best life for Jesus, the way he made us to live, brings far more confidence than any comparison ever could.

There's something particularly off-putting about people who constantly brag about themselves. Even if they genuinely are the best at something, the moment they start talking about how great they are, we're done listening.

Perhaps that's because boasting is so opposite to the character of Christ. Jesus had every reason to boast—he was and is the Son of God, the Creator of the universe, the Savior of humanity. Yet throughout his ministry, he consistently gave all glory to the Father.

When we imitate Christ and give God all the praise and glory, we experience the profound joy of being used by him. We get to exercise our gifts and talents, not to build our own reputation, but to further God's work. That's a rich reward in itself.

The Bible says, "Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord" (2 Corinthians 10:17). If we're good at anything or accomplish anything worthwhile, it's because Jesus is working in and through us.

As you move through this week, consider these questions:

What is your source of confidence? Is it your appearance, intelligence, abilities, or bank account? Or is it rooted in Christ and how he's working in you?

How has God gifted you, and how can you be a blessing? In the busyness of life, we often forget to ask how God might want to use us today. What gifts has he given you that could bless someone else?

How can you step out in faith and trust God to work in you? If you're struggling with confidence, try taking one small step of faith. Ask God to use you, then watch for opportunities. When you see how God shows up, your confidence will grow.

Our confidence doesn't come from our own strength, skill, or ability. It doesn't come from what others say about us or how we measure up against them. Our confidence comes from Jesus—who he is, what he's done, and how he's working in us.

When we root our confidence in Christ, we're free from the exhausting cycle of self-promotion and comparison. We can simply be who God created us to be, using our gifts to serve others and bring him glory.

That's the kind of confidence that weathers any storm, overcomes any obstacle, and brings genuine joy.

This blog was generated with the help of AI, and is based off of Pastor Dillon's sermon on November 16, 2025: Called to Confidence.