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Indeed, an honest and humble acknowledgment of the evil in…

“Indeed, an honest and humble acknowledgment of the evil in our flesh, even after the new birth, is the first step to holiness. To speak quite plainly, some of us are not leading holy lives for the simple reason that we have too high an opinion of ourselves. No man ever cries aloud for deliverance…” quote by John R.W. Stott
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““Indeed, an honest and humble acknowledgment of the evil in our flesh, even after the new birth, is the first step to holiness. To speak quite plainly, some of us are not leading holy lives for the simple reason that we have too high an opinion of ourselves. No man ever cries aloud for deliverance who has not seen his own wretchedness. In other words, the only way to arrive at faith in the power of the Holy Spirit is along the road of self-despair.””

John R.W. Stott

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Recognizing our own sinfulness is essential for spiritual growth; humility opens the path to holiness.

In simple terms: Admit flaws to grow spiritually.

Key Takeaway

Embrace humility and self‑examination.

Themes

humility spirituality self‑awareness

Mood

reflective serious

Type

theological inspirational

When to use this quote

  • confession
  • spiritual retreats
  • counseling

Key Concepts

theology psychology

Questions to Reflect On

  • What steps can you take after recognizing personal flaws?
  • How does humility foster true faith?
A Different Perspective

Self‑deprecation can lead to despair if not balanced with hope.

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