Leggo My Ego
By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.
10/08/2021
Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. (Proverbs 27:2)
I had the pleasure of speaking at a Pastor's Conference in Orlando some time ago that was attended by several hundred pastors from around the country, and even a few from around the world. I say pleasure because indeed it was edifying and challenging to hear some of the keynote messages that were delivered throughout the week. God truly has blessed the body of Christ with some gifted men of God who proclaim His Word boldly and clearly.
Yet not everything I experienced at the conference was encouraging. As one of the speakers, I had access to the green room where the principal participants in the conference (speakers, singers, emcees, etc.) gathered throughout the day just prior to their appointed time on stage. I arrived at the green room a few minutes before my allotted time, and after being mic'ed by the audio technician, waited just off stage for my cue.
At the last minute, the conference director decided to bump my presentation to about an hour later. This did not bother me in the least, as my new time slot was at a more strategic location in the conference program. With time to kill, I decided to hang out in the green room and listen to several esteemed evangelical leaders engage in an interesting conversation. As I listened, it occurred to me that there were more egos in the room than at a waffle convention. (I know, I know...the waffle brand is spelled with two "g's." Just go with it.)
If I mentioned the name of some of the men in the discussion, chances are you would recognize them. I watched these men repeatedly try to outdo each other. One talked about how his staff tweets his messages for him (because such menial tasks are beneath him); another mentioned his fancy phone; another talked about his automated Facebook page; and oh, the name-dropping! You should have heard it!
I must confess, my own ego reared its head a few times and I was tempted to chime in with some horn-tooting myself. But then I thought of how many great men of God have fallen and stumbled throughout the years because of their pride. And I thought to myself, "Leggo my ego!" I prayed, "Lord give me the security and confidence in Christ that allows me to speak humbly and graciously with others and avoid the temptation to build myself up." Proverbs 27:2 is a helpful reminder, "Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips."
10/08/2021
Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. (Proverbs 27:2)
I had the pleasure of speaking at a Pastor's Conference in Orlando some time ago that was attended by several hundred pastors from around the country, and even a few from around the world. I say pleasure because indeed it was edifying and challenging to hear some of the keynote messages that were delivered throughout the week. God truly has blessed the body of Christ with some gifted men of God who proclaim His Word boldly and clearly.
Yet not everything I experienced at the conference was encouraging. As one of the speakers, I had access to the green room where the principal participants in the conference (speakers, singers, emcees, etc.) gathered throughout the day just prior to their appointed time on stage. I arrived at the green room a few minutes before my allotted time, and after being mic'ed by the audio technician, waited just off stage for my cue.
At the last minute, the conference director decided to bump my presentation to about an hour later. This did not bother me in the least, as my new time slot was at a more strategic location in the conference program. With time to kill, I decided to hang out in the green room and listen to several esteemed evangelical leaders engage in an interesting conversation. As I listened, it occurred to me that there were more egos in the room than at a waffle convention. (I know, I know...the waffle brand is spelled with two "g's." Just go with it.)
If I mentioned the name of some of the men in the discussion, chances are you would recognize them. I watched these men repeatedly try to outdo each other. One talked about how his staff tweets his messages for him (because such menial tasks are beneath him); another mentioned his fancy phone; another talked about his automated Facebook page; and oh, the name-dropping! You should have heard it!
I must confess, my own ego reared its head a few times and I was tempted to chime in with some horn-tooting myself. But then I thought of how many great men of God have fallen and stumbled throughout the years because of their pride. And I thought to myself, "Leggo my ego!" I prayed, "Lord give me the security and confidence in Christ that allows me to speak humbly and graciously with others and avoid the temptation to build myself up." Proverbs 27:2 is a helpful reminder, "Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips."
No Comments