Conceit

A state of pride arising out of an overestimation of one's own ability, possessions or importance.

The definition of conceit

Galatians 6:3

If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Examples of conceit

In military strength

2 Kings 18:33–35 See also Exodus 15:9; 1 Samuel 17:42–44

Has the god of any nation ever delivered his land from the hand of the king of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah? Have they delivered Samaria from my hand? Who among all the gods of these lands has delivered his land from my hand? How then can the LORD deliver Jerusalem from my hand?”

In the power of idols

Daniel 3:15 See also Acts 8:9–10

Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the statue I have made, very good. But if you refuse to worship, you will be thrown at once into the blazing fiery furnace. Then what god will be able to deliver you from my hands?”

In personal abilities

Matthew 26:33 parallel Mark 14:29 See also Genesis 16:4; 1 Kings 20:11; Esther 5:10–12

Peter said to Him, “Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will.”

In false teaching

1 Timothy 6:3–4

If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and disputes about words, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions,

In possessions

Hosea 12:8

And Ephraim boasts: “How rich I have become! I have found wealth for myself. In all my labors, they can find in me no iniquity that is sinful.”

In intellectual ability

Psalm 73:7–9

From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild. They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression. They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues strut across the earth.

In national status

Isaiah 47:6–8 See also Isaiah 16:6; Jeremiah 48:29

I was angry with My people; I profaned My heritage, and I placed them under your control. You showed them no mercy; even on the elderly you laid a most heavy yoke. You said, ‘I will be queen forever.’ You did not take these things to heart or consider their outcome. So now hear this, O lover of luxury who sits securely, who says to herself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me. I will never be a widow or know the loss of children.’

God's response to conceit

2 Samuel 22:28; 1 Corinthians 1:27–29 See also Isaiah 2:12, Isaiah 23:9, Isaiah 47:8–11; Obadiah 1:3–4

You save an afflicted people, but Your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down.

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast in His presence.

Warnings against conceit

Philippians 2:3 See also Proverbs 3:7; Isaiah 5:21; Jeremiah 9:23–24; Romans 12:3, Romans 12:16; 1 Corinthians 3:18–21, 1 Corinthians 4:7, 1 Corinthians 8:2; Galatians 5:26; 2 Timothy 3:4

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.

The folly of conceit

Proverbs 26:12 See also Proverbs 28:26; Isaiah 16:6; Hosea 10:13–14; James 3:5, James 4:16

Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

The danger of conceit for Christians

1 Corinthians 10:12 See also Romans 11:25; 2 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Timothy 3:6; 1 John 2:16

So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.

Remedies for conceit

Being aware of one's sin

Luke 18:9–14

To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men — swindlers, evildoers, adulterers — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Being prepared to mix with the lowly

Romans 12:16

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.

Considering others as being superior

Philippians 2:3

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.