What should a believer do when they start thinking they are somebody special?
When a believer begins to think they are somebody special, they should knock that thought down immediately. They must remember they are nothing except what God has allowed them to become. Any blessings or accomplishments come only by God's grace, not by their own effort, so there is no basis for pride.
Les explains that this instruction is for believers, not the unsaved world. As believers, we are what we are and have what we have only by the grace of God. We can never puff up our chest and say, 'Look what I've accomplished,' because we have accomplished nothing of ourselves. The text says we did not have anything except what we received, and if we received it, we should not glory as though we had not received it. In plainer English, why glory over something you had nothing to do with? So whenever we get an inkling that maybe we are somebody special, Les says to knock that thought right down, because we are nothing except what God has let us become—all based on His grace. Les adds that he does not deserve three meals a day or any of the good things of life, but he has them because God's grace has seen fit to permit it. He then notes verse 8, 'Now you are full, now you are rich,' while recognizing these people were carnal, not yet spiritually rich like the Ephesians, still having a long way to go.