Being conceited means that you overestimate yourself excessively. That is a negative way of self-presentation. It means pride and haughtiness like the Bible said, “Pride, arrogance, insolence, conceit and haughtiness of her heart (Jeremiah 48:29).”
The prodigal son in Luke 15 was very conceited. He was not able to live away from his father. But, being pride and arrogant, he overestimated himself and demanded his inheritance even when his father was alive. He went to a distant county and squandered all his property, and end up being in needy, not able to feed himself. Nobody gave him food to eat, not even the pods that the pigs had. Finally, he realized that he was conceited and pride and repented his sins with weeping.
Those who get conceited like the prodigal son move away from their position that give their soul true happiness. They misunderstand their real condition, both spiritually and physically and brag about themselves, like they became great ones. There are not that many people who figure out their condition their condition, both financially and spiritually, and live accordingly, in all ages.
Those who got conceited also misunderstood themselves as greater people and regard themselves righteous. They end up losing people around them and be isolated from society. Psalm 16:18 said, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” 1Corinthian 10:12 said, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
Let’s say that somebody fell down from high building and another person collapsed on a ground. Who would be injured more? Needless to say, the one who fell from high building would injure more. Then, can anyone who lie down on a ground be injured? No. when we lie down on a ground, we would not fall or collapse. Likewise, we should humble ourselves, like get sticked on a ground. We should not be conceited at all. We should not have any mind to get conceited.
Pastor Seok-Jeon Yoon
Extracted from Yonsei Newspaper #833
