Airline people tend to be smart, capable, and decisive. In the world’s eyes this is a good thing, and to some extent it truly is.
The problem is when we mistake natural gifts for some kind of personal power we do not ultimately have. Both natural and spiritual gifts come from one ultimate source, God.
There is perhaps no greater temptation in our daily Christian walk than to put faith in ourselves and call it faith in God. We do this without knowing it (or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that we do it without wanting to know it). However, regardless of whether spiritual self-reliance is subconscious, conscious, or a little of both, it is anathema to any genuine progress in the Christian life.
We cannot overcome the flesh with the flesh. It is the essence of futility and the reason that not a few professing Christians become so frustrated and discouraged that they make a shipwreck of their faith, at least as far as real sanctification is concerned.
Never be wise in your own sight. Romans 12:16 (ESV)
