Quiet Fire Devotional | Humility: Engaging the “Know-It-All” Without Losing Your Soul

Humility That Demolishes

“Oh, that you would keep silent, And it would be your wisdom!” — Job 13 : 5, NKJV

“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.” — 2 Timothy 2 : 24-25, ESV

1 Start the Excavation in Your Own Heart

Pray Psalm 139 : 23-24 aloud before you swing a single rhetorical hammer:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.” — Psalm 139 : 23-24, NKJV

Humility is the quickest solvent for arrogance—both yours and theirs.

2 Invite Them to Teach You

Ask sincere, open-ended questions: “How did you arrive at that conclusion?” Listening unmasks gaps faster than frontal assault.

“If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.” — Proverbs 18 : 13, ESV

3 Hold Up a Mirror, Not a Mallet

Restate their main point accurately, without sarcasm. A fair mirror lowers defenses far better than a mocking mallet.

4 Anchor Truth Outside Both of You

Shift from who is right to what is right. In a biblical setting, read the passage aloud together—full text, no paraphrase. In the workplace, pull up the data or policy. Objective anchors dismantle personal posturing.

5 Ask the Heavy Question

“What evidence would make you reconsider?” If they can’t name any, Scripture has already diagnosed the case:

“Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” — Proverbs 26 : 12, NIV

6 Model the Outcome You’re Requesting

Concede any point—no matter how small—that they actually got right. Your admitted fallibility disarms their need to prove invincibility.

7 Set Gentle Boundaries

When the dialogue turns circular, follow Paul’s counsel:

“Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.” — Titus 3 : 10-11, NKJV

End kindly but firmly:

“I value our relationship more than winning this point. Let’s pause here and revisit when we’ve both had time to reflect.”

8 Pray for Them by Name

Job’s friends found wisdom only after Job interceded for them:

“And the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, ‘…My servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer…’ … And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends.” — Job 42 : 8-10, NKJV (excerpt)

The easiest way to dismantle pride—yours or theirs—remains anchored to Christ.

Quick-Glance Toolbox

• Heart-Check Verse: Psalm 139 : 23-24

• Listening Question: “Can you walk me through your reasoning?”

• Mirror Phrase: “So, if I’m hearing you correctly, you’re saying …”

• Reality Anchor: “Let’s open the passage/report together.”

• Exit Line: “I’d love to pick this up after we both consider the evidence.”

Remember: The goal is not to score a knock-out but to loosen pride’s grip—on them and on you. Truth spoken with unflinching gentleness is still the Spirit’s sharpest tool.