PRIDE AND ARROGANCE

 Pride and arrogance

Pride and arrogance are vices that are very distasteful. Pride makes us think we are better or superior to others. It is a condition of the heart whereby we project an aura of being more important than others; a prideful heart puts other people down and elevates itself. It is defined as, "a foolishly and irrational corrupt sense of one's personal value, status or accomplishments."

With arrogance, there is a projection of knowing better than others; it is usually an attempt to make up for our weaknesses. An arrogant heart does not admit its limitations; it wants to be seen in good light, it puts others down in an effort to hide its limitations and weaknesses. An arrogant heart says: Look! You don't know much about anything; this is how it is, this is how it is done. It asks, 'Oh, you don't know that! and that! and the other? You should know! It is defined as, "when a person believes he or she is better than others and knows more than everyone else, or when a person believes they are capable of something they really aren't."

Both are conditions of the heart that place great emphasis on self. We most often discover that when many people find breakthrough in life, they change. Their way of talking changes, their dressing changes, their way of walking changes, the people they associate with changes; they may start regarding others as 'lower than'. They project an aura of self importance. Yes, we should celebrate our accomplishments, yes we should adjust according to our roles, yes there are things that need changing. Yet, we should never project ourselves as superior or more important than others.

We are different equals; no human being is superior to another, one person's life is not more valuable than the other. We are each unique, with different gifts. We should never use and misuse our positions to mistreat others. Our differences is the beauty of it all; our differences should unite us, not create a valley. The Bible warns us against pride. We are told the devil is a fallen angel, the root being pride. Pride is among the most destructive things. It eats a person from inside out. It corrupts the soul. Pride leads to destruction.

In Proverbs 6:16-19, we are told there are six things the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to Him, "A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that spoketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."

What is it in us that changes when we achieve something? Why do we suddenly forget where we came from? Why do we view ourselves as 'more than' and others as 'lesser than'? Pride is the work of the flesh that is not submitted to God. Pride tells a person they are where they are because of their own strength. We forget human strength fails and burns out.

Before his downfall, a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. Proverbs 18:12.

Pride and fall go hand in hand.

God says, "Whoever has a haughty look and arrogant heart I will not endure" Proverbs 101:5.

The proud will be humbled, and the humble will be exalted.

Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. Isaiah 5:21.

Pride and arrogance is deception to ourselves; makes us think we are untouchable, makes us elevate ourselves.

The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourselves, 'Who can bring me down to the ground? Obadiah 1:3.

We put ourselves in the path of the enemy. When we are proud, we become blind; we cannot see the condition of our hearts, we cannot accept correction. The proud live in deception.

Do not deceive yourselves. If anyone of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a 'fool' so that he may become wise. 1 Corinthians 3:18.

The antidote to pride and arrogance is developing a relationship with God and humility. Jesus told us to take His yoke and learn from Him, for He is gentle and humble in heart and we will find rest for our souls. Humility does not mean we become a doormat; it is a quiet inner strength that is rooted in  knowing our identity in Christ. Humility is a strength, not a weakness. It involves dying to self. When we are humble we know who we really are. We are not better than others, we are just different. Our actions come from a place of knowing and strength. We do not try to prove anything to others, we do not put others down; we are rooted in Christ. Our identity is in God. Anything we do comes from a place of love.

Romans 12:16 says we are to live in harmony with one another. "Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited."

A humble heart is beautiful, it radiates love and confidence. Not a confidence in itself but a confidence that comes from God.

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 1 Peter 3:3-4.

Outer beauty is good but it is also fleeting. What lasts is the inner beauty. God quietens our spirit, He gives us a supernatural calmness in the midst of outer turmoil.

Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:44.

Humility does not mean we put ourselves in the path for others to walk all over us. We have a voice. We know who we are, we know our purpose, we have reverence for God. God gives us wisdom. He leads us in what is right, He teaches us His way. With wisdom we are able to guard our hearts. We realize many people are not good-willed; yet, we are able to respond to situations with love. We are able to know the steps to take; we do not put ourselves in the line of abuse.

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8.

We humble ourselves before God, and He exalts us at the proper time.

Blessings.

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