By A self-made man or woman is always easy to spot. They walk confidently, their eyes smile with a hint of knowing more than they let on. When they speak they typically let on that they know more, speaking with conviction on matters they know well and on matters they are grossly ill-informed on. A self-made person is a model of success, wisdom, and propriety in this world, but typically lack some of the basic virtues of wisdom.
Proverbs 18:1-2 describes the often-obvious-to-others folly of the self-made in these words:
Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire;
Proverbs 18:1-2
he breaks out against all sound judgment.
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only in expressing his opinion.
Beware of the selfish vindication of being a loner. This is especially true for the introverted, but also for the extroverted loners who are always surrounded by peers, yet continue unaltered by their inputs.
Beware also of always being right. You might ‘always’ be right in that you do not intentionally hold to anything that is wrong or inaccurate, but always be aware that you might be wrong. Once you’ve studied a topic and formed a clear conviction, still consider the thoughts of those who differ to you. Beware of never asking for advice, counsel, or another’s opinion. If you are a talker, be sure to speak to seek understanding, not just to impart understanding.
As Christians we understand the firmness of conviction on matters clearly revealed in the Scriptures. And we also understand the great humility that we ought to demonstrate in our dealings with each other here on earth. We avoid failure by being made into the image of Christ, not by being made by self.