When I think of arrogance, I don’t
generally think of myself. It’s not that I don’t have issues with pride
occasionally, but not too often in my own opinion. Of course, pride in oneself
is considered a positive attribute these days. It’s just another case of good
and bad being redefined by today’s morals. “Woe to those who call evil
good and good evil; who put darkness for light and light for darkness…” (Is.
5:20) In actuality, the two words used to be synonymous.
Pride: (Webster’s 1828) 1. Inordinate self-esteem; an
unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth,
accomplishments, rank or elevation in office, which manifests itself in lofty
airs, distance, reserve, and often in contempt of others. 2. Insolence; rude treatment of others; insolent
exultation.
2015: a feeling that you respect yourself and deserve
to be respected by other people. a feeling that you are more important or
better than other people. a feeling of happiness that you get when you or
someone you know does something good, difficult, etc.
Out of all the different Bible words for
pride (7 Hebrew, 3 Greek- not counting ‘proud’ or arrogance) not one verse I
read used pride as a positive attribute. “The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil;
I hate pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the wicked mouth.” (Pr.
8:13) “Everyone proud in heart is hateful to Jehovah; though hand join in hand,
he shall not be unpunished.” (Pr. 16:5) In fact, pride is listed in two lists
of the ungodly: Rm. 1:30
and 2Tm. 3:2. So pride is not good in God’s eyes.
At heart, all of us have arrogant/ proud
hearts exalting themselves above God. This is my reasoning. We all want to be
God. “What? No! Not me!” Do we not all want to direct our lives the way WE want, fulfill our OWN dreams or have God fulfill them,
have all our prayers answered the way WE want them
answered- especially in OUR timing? Do we not
act sullen or get upset with God when we don’t get what we want? Do we not want
to dictate what is good or bad for us to do or think? The world says we should
believe this last bit!
It is the same lie the Devil told Adam and
Eve- ‘Come on, eat the fruit- determine your own way…’ We will be like God
determining what is good and evil in our own lives… This tv show is my guilty
pleasure. I’m buying this. I’m just going to speed enough the cops won’t stop
me. Downloading is okay because artists already make too much money. I’ll wear
what makes me feel good. Etc.
Are
we children of God, or not?
Maybe instead of asking what would Jesus
do, we should ask ourselves “If Jesus was physically, in the flesh beside me,
would I feel okay: watching this, buying that, being here, doing this, saying
that…” He’s right here. Would I watch that tv couple making out? Would I be
looking at those half naked photos? Would I be bad mouthing the pastor? Or
would I be embarrassed at my words and actions?
But
we continue on determining what is right and wrong for us often ignoring the
Book that tells us what is right and wrong. Instead we think with fist raised-
who are You God to determine my steps?
Ah,
what arrogance…
(context- end times when the Lord is physically ruling
the earth)
The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the pride
of men shall be bowed down, and Jehovah
alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of Jehovah of Hosts shall
be on every proud and lofty one, and on every lifted up one;
and he shall be
brought low,
Is. 2:11 ,12
P.S.
We should also reconsider ‘provoking God’ for His presence, ordering Him to let
His anointing flow, telling Him we will
move to the next level by our praise, insisting He must heal so and so, insist
He give us wealth because we tithe. One doesn’t order a parent around. Who is
the Father? Who is the child?
God
have mercy on our souls.
