Don’t Think You Know It All

 

“Don’t Think You Know It All”

Romans 12:16

“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” (Romans 12:16)

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1. The Hidden Sin of “I Know Better”

Romans 12:16 confronts a sin that rarely looks sinful: intellectual pride.

Paul does not warn against ignorance—
he warns against thinking we are above others.

The phrase “Do not be conceited” literally means:
“Do not be wise in your own estimation.”

In other words:

• Don’t enthrone your own opinions

• Don’t treat your perspective as final truth

• Don’t assume maturity because you know Scripture

• Don’t confuse knowledge with wisdom

Many believers fall not because they lack truth,
but because truth made them proud.

“Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” (1 Corinthians 8:1)

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2. Pride Breaks Harmony Faster Than Sin

Paul begins with:
“Live in harmony with one another.”

Pride destroys harmony because:

• It stops listening

• It corrects without compassion

• It speaks to win, not to love

• It values being right over being Christlike

You can be theologically correct and spiritually out of order.

Churches don’t split over heresy alone—
they split because people refuse to be humble.

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3. “Associate with the Lowly” — The Test of True Christlikeness

Jesus did not just teach humility.
He practiced it.

• He ate with sinners

• He touched lepers

• He washed feet

• He submitted to the Father

Romans 12:16 says:

“Be willing to associate with people of low position.”

This exposes us:

• Do we only feel comfortable with “deep” Christians?

• Do we avoid those who don’t “get it”?

• Do we silently rank believers by maturity, status, or usefulness?

True humility is not thinking less of yourself
but thinking of yourself less.

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4. Spiritual Pride Is Satan’s Oldest Trap

Satan fell not because of ignorance—but because of pride.

The same trap works today:

• “I discern better than others”

• “Most Christians are deceived, but I see clearly”

• “My theology is purer”

• “My convictions are deeper”

Discernment without humility becomes judgment.
Revelation without love becomes division.

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

You can have gifts, insight, and even prophetic clarity—
and still lose grace if pride remains.

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5. The Wisdom of the Cross

The cross destroys the idea that we “know it all.”

At the cross:

• The strongest looked weak

• The wisest were confounded

• The Son of God submitted

• Salvation came through humility

If Christ humbled Himself to the point of death,
how dare we exalt ourselves through knowledge?

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6. A Final Warning

Pride doesn’t announce itself.
It whispers:

• “You’re more awake than others”

• “You’ve grown beyond this church”

• “They’re not as serious as you”

• “If they listened to you, things would be better”

Romans 12:16 calls us back:

Walk low. Listen long. Love deeply.

The truly wise person is the one who:

• Can still be taught

• Can still repent

• Can still learn from the least

• Can still kneel

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Closing Prayer (Optional)

Lord, save us from the pride that hides behind knowledge.
Teach us to walk humbly, love sincerely, and listen deeply.
Make us like Christ—lowly in heart, rich in grace.
Amen.