Don't Get Cocky
Series: The Jesus We Need to Know
Preacher: Kevin Smith, Senior Pastor
Sunday Morning
Date: 6th April 2025
Passage: John 13:36-38
-------------------
Spiritual overconfidence emerges as a subtle yet dangerous threat to our faith journey, often surfacing during moments of perceived spiritual strength. This mindset manifests in three critical ways: a lack of understanding about our spiritual maturity, boasting about our spiritual capabilities, and becoming deaf to divine warnings. Peter's story of denying Jesus serves as a powerful illustration of how this overconfidence can lead to significant spiritual failures.The danger intensifies when we begin focusing on our achievements rather than Christ's work in us, comparing ourselves to others instead of measuring against Christ's standard, and relying on our own strength rather than God's grace. Protection against this spiritual pitfall requires intentional actions: establishing accountability partnerships, memorizing Scripture, maintaining a consistent prayer life, and most importantly, recognizing that true spiritual strength comes from complete dependence on Christ. The key to spiritual growth lies not in self-confidence but in acknowledging our weaknesses and allowing Christ's power to work through us.
