Recognizing our abilities is considered a proud attitude. Yet we need to know our value to grow the Kingdom of God. In order to not puff with pride, we need to follow this advice …

It is easy to name our flaws and weaknesses, but stressing our strengths and talents is sometimes more delicate. Either because we can not recognize them, or because we do not want to boast. We all know that pride is an ugly sin, the one that even drove Lucifer out of heaven. In a spirit of humility, we often prefer to minimize our talents.

Yet our talents come from God and He has given them to us to be an effective servant in His kingdom. Our churches often quote the parable of talents in Matthew 25. Of course, here the word “talent” refers to a monetary currency of the time, not a quality, but the principle still applies to our strengths. What God has given us, we must put it at his service and not hide it.

We must recognize that our strength is from God, but we also have the right to be proud of ourselves when we make the effort to improve ourselves in one area or another. “But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.” (Galatians 6: 4 KJV) So we can rejoice in our “good moves” as long as we do not take advantage of it to belittle others. We must not be like the Pharisee in Luke 18:11, who said, “God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.” (KJV)

Even Paul was sometimes proud of his work and his disciples. “Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.” (2 Corinthians 7.4 KJV) He did not say, “I boast of you because I do a better job than Peter”! He did not compare, but he was satisfied with his work and the Corinthians’ response. If we avoid comparisons, we avoid falling into pride.

Another way to remain humble in light of our strengths is to use them to serve the Lord in front of crowds as well in private with a brother or sister. A young woman had an obvious talent for singing, but she only used her talent in front of her assembly, microphone in hand. With time, she learned to recognize that her attitude was full of pride and she decided to serve God and her community with her talent, with all humility. One evening, a very discouraged sister called her, and after praying for her, she gently sang a hymn to bring her peace. The sister was restored completely. The young woman finally learned to use her talent in all humility. God allowed her on other occasions to build up her congregation, but with this event, she understood that her talent must be used at the time God desires, no matter the reward. “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6: 3-4 NIV)

Finally, another way of getting away from pride, when we have talents, is to place us in a position of service. If you believe that you are superior to others because of your talent, you are wrong. If you have a great talent, it is because you are called to be a great servant. By placing yourself in a servant position, you will remain humble. “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” (Phil 2: 3 KJV)

When we have taken these good steps to not fall into pride, it is good to know our strengths and use them. This increases the Kingdom of God when we use them to build the Body of Christ. However, it is also necessary to know our strengths as a future husband or wife (if you wish to marry). Instead of seeing only your shortcomings, and the reasons why you are still single, start to consider your strengths and what you will bring in your future relationship. This will help you build confidence in yourself, and this assured attitude is certainly more appealing.