Look At Me (Galatians 6:3)

For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. Galatians 6:3

Did you ever think to yourself that you had it together spiritually?  Spiritually speaking you have dotted every "i" and crossed every "t".  You see yourself as understanding the scriptures, applying them to your life and an example for others to recognize and follow.  Many people including myself have fallen into this deadly trap.  

Notice that in this passage, Paul declares that we are nothing.  He uses the words "if" and "when" when referring to man: if a man thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing.  Notice it does not say, "If a man thinks himself to be something, if he is nothing."  Paul is admonishing us to remember that we in fact are nothing.  The legalists of previous chapters thought themselves to be something and were attempting to promote themselves through the conversion of others to their system of belief.  Spirituality never comes to those who think that they are standing at the entrance door to "right living" or "spiritual success".  Pride still comes before the fall and God still refuses to allow man to glory in his flesh (Proverbs 16:18; 1 Corinthians 1:29).  Pride and self reliance are just as great of sins as the despised vices of this world and the debauchery of those living in vile sin.  

We must take heed to Paul's warning. You and I can keep ourselves from being deceived by recognizing who and what we are.  The moment we begin to think that we are somebody or that we deserve something more than what we have, we have allowed our minds to become ensnared with deceit.  When thoughts such as these begin to arise, gird up the loins of your mind and fight them with this truth (1 Peter 1:13; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5).