There are many tensions in the Bible that may never be fully resolved. Instead, we are called to learn to live within them. One such tension is the balance between humility and confidence.

On the one hand, you are called to humility. Denying the gifts God has given you in an attempt to appear humble is not the way. It’s not about putting yourself down or pretending to be less than you are. God created you fearfully and wonderfully (Psalm 139:14), in His image (Genesis 1:27), and has counted the very hairs on your head (Luke 12:7). You have a purpose, and He has a plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). These truths 
are vital for recognizing your inherent worth and value.

On the other hand, confidence without humility is dangerous. If you think too highly of yourself or your gifts, 
it’s only a matter of time before pride sets you up for a fall. The Bible reminds us that we are also fragile—like a wisp, a vapor (James 4:14), with a heart that is deceitful and corrupt (Jeremiah 17:9). We are prone to foolish thinking (1 Corinthians 3:19). How is it possible that God cares for us? (Psalm 8:4)

So, how do we navigate this tension between humility and confidence? In John 3:30-36, God provides the answer: “He must become greater; I must become less.” This is the path to spiritual success—not through striving, but through resignation. The way to truly live is to surrender your life to Christ. When you give Him everything, He will give you back a full, abundant life. Striving to do it any other way will leave you empty and unfulfilled.

The secret to living in the tension between humility and confidence is to find your identity in Christ—neither inflated by pride nor deflated by self-doubt, but securely anchored in the truth of who He says you are