Empty Conceit

2:3 Do nothing from...empty conceit

You would think that it would go without saying that Christians are to do nothing from empty conceit. But the flesh is never far from us, even in the most spiritually mature, and no one is exempt from the sins of pride.

The word here translated "empty conceit" is a compound word that combines the Greek word for empty with the word for glory. It was used to refer to a person who thought too highly of himself, who gave himself unwarranted glory. Paul uses the same word in Gal.5:26.

No one ever chooses to be an egotist. And no one who is an egotist thinks that he is one. That means that everyone who hears this command to do nothing from empty conceit can see how it applies to others much better than to himself.

Have you gotten to know yourself well enough to see that in your wicked soul there is a great craving for glory, praise and admiration? Have you seen what a hold that can have over you in affecting the way you talk and dress and act and who you spend time with? So much of our lives is spent trying to maneuver our way under the hot showers of human admiration and recognition. Until we realize these things, we don’t stand a chance of escaping the sin that Paul condemns here.

It is interesting that these same words "empty" and "glory" occur again in the description of the way Christ lived (v.6-11). In v.7 it says that he emptied Himself; in v.11 it talks of the glory that resulted. This is the way of Christ, not to grab for empty glory, but to empty oneself and let God give the glory.

The way of the world: empty glory

The way of Christ: empty, glory

One comma makes all the difference in the world!

Great Father in heaven, forgive me for my vain lust for human approval. Forgive me for all the things I have done to try to seek man’s praise. Forgive me for all the conversations I have steered to my praise. Forgive me for caring so much about what I look like and so little about what I am like. Help me to be a man who cares only about Your approval. Help me to willingly empty myself and lower myself, as Jesus did, waiting for Your glory instead of man’s. And when I do seek empty glory, convict me by Your Spirit, show me my sin and move me to repentance.