Have you heard the story about the small plane that was carrying a computer expert, a pastor, and a boy scout, that was going down? The pilot announced that there were only two other parachutes left after he took one for himself. The computer expert, claiming to be the smartest man alive, quickly grabbed a pack and jumped. The pastor began explaining to the boy scout that he would sacrifice his own life for the young kid, when the boy scout interrupted: “Relax pastor, the computer whiz kid took my backpack and jumped out!”
😀
I suspect most all of us have faced the know-it-alls who try to impress us and others with their “knowledge.” This past weekend at the 100th anniversary, I told the folks that many of them may not have known that I had interviewed for the position of pastor back in 1986, and had actually had two couples come to hear me preach. They chose someone else instead (my predecessor to that church). Then I told them something I believe may have shocked a few. I told them, “You made the right choice! I was young, brash, arrogant, and a know-it-all. You chose someone who was not-so-young, and one of the most humble men I have ever met.”
MAY. I. BE. HONEST. WITH. YOU? I. LOATHE. THE. MAN. I. USED. TO. BE.
Not that there aren’t times I can still be a real pain-in-the-aaaaaahhh…neck. To my shame and displeasure there are still times I revert back to stupidity of that attitude in my dealings with people. True, I am no longer young. 🙂 But I do struggle with being arrogant and a know-it-all. Not like I once was. Or as often. But that old man is still there from time to time. And you know what happens? When I get that way, I fall flat on my face. Big face plant. Big splatter as well.
Proverbs is filled with advice about wisdom. I could fill this post and many others just with Scriptures from Proverbs regarding wisdom. Knowledge is not bad, not by a long-shot. But to get knowledge without wisdom is not a good thing. I had plenty of knowledge (just ask me), but lacked wisdom. I lacked discernment. I tried to get by on my own cunning and smarts (some might say charisma and good looks, but I digress). 🙂 A person can only go so far until their true colors begin to show. I wore thin real quick. It was only when I began to grasp the truth of “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil” (Pr.3:7), that I woke up. That was also when I was found to be more than skin deep.
How about you? Did you ever struggle with arrogance? Do you still struggle with it from time to time? How did you/do you overcome it? I’d like to hear your thoughts.
I struggle with arrogance from time to time. It starts from not wanting to admit your fault to not apologizing when you know you are wrong.
There are some days when I sit myself down and have to tell myslef the truth. If God is my father and He is not arrogant, why should I be?
God is LOVE and love is not arrogant.
That’s how I overcome it.
You have given two pictures of arrogance Mercy. It does take a proactive stance to deal with arrogance. Great thought! thanks.
I used to all the time. I have “Die Daily” written all over the place.
It’s my reminder.
Two good words to remember and practice Michael. Thanks.
“Humility is like underwear; essential, but indecent if it shows.” – Helen Nielsen
Every human being who has ever lived has struggled with arrogance. Possibly, it is one of the consequences of the fall. If I recall correctly, through arrogance and pride Lucifer and one-third of the heavenly host fell. It is a trap we fall into because as soon as we think we have achieved humility, we’ve begun to write our own chapter of the book, Greatness and Humility: How I Achieved Them“(Muhammad Ali has a great chapter in it.) 🙂
Perhaps the solution is to keep “Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith….” If anyone had a right to arrogance, it would be Jesus. And yet,
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God,but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in the fashion of a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death–even the death of the cross. Therefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name,that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in Heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11.
Maybe our arrogance is a symptom of a need for better focus….
Like the quote Susan. Made me chuckle. Also the Bible verses are a great application. Thanks for sharing them. No doubt about the focus. We are an awful small speck. Thanks.
I’m actually quite proud of the way I’ve overcome my arrogance…if I do say so myself! I don’t have a problem with pride either 🙂
I’d say my arrogance has popped up at times when people come to me looking for answers. They think (for some reason) I’ve got it all together. I am then quickly reminded that I need to be transparant and real…letting people know I struggle with things too. That is how I handle my pride when it creeps in.
**and my opening comment was complete sarcasm…I know that can’t be “heard” in written form 🙂
I can read between the lines Craig. 🙂 Sort of like the old comment “I can’t wait until tomorrow.” Why? “Because I get better looking every day.” Old Joe Namath joke. That being said, it is easy for others to think we have it all together. The lie is if we perpetrate it. I like your approach. Thanks for the comment.
If you would have asked me 10 years ago I would have said “No Way do I struggle with!”
Now – I would say – yes I do. I have to die to self daily and realize I do not always know it all.
Funny thing that helped me with this is that I worked with two of the most arrogant human beings – I love them both but they both were and still are arrogant – their arrogance helped me to see mine and gave me a desire to change.
Thanks Bill for the honesty and thoughts!
It is always an eye-opener to work with someone or live with someone who takes something like arrogance and multiplies it. God then opens our eyes to our own struggle. Glad you saw that Jim and desired to change. Thanks for coming by (and your honesty).
I think arrogance or conceit is a common defense mechanism of our youth. We use it to cover our weaknesses and project strength. As we mature we realize we can get along just fine by recognizing our weaknesses and those of others and admitting (at least to ourselves) that we are not all that special. We have also had our butts kicked a few times by the ups and downs of life.
And ultimately we realize life is just a lot easier being ourself with warts and all.
Unfortunately the maturing process takes longer for some than for others.
You said a ton of good stuff here Jeff. I had not even thought about the youth angle. How true it is though! Life hits hard sometimes. Thanks for some great input. Also hope you are doing well.
Me…arrogant? No way! (clears throat) I used to jokingly call it “holy arrogance” and God did (still is) a major humbling work on me…so glad for that!
I like that Jay: holy arrogance. 🙂 I used to rationalize a lot by saying, “I am good at what I do.” Was I delusional or what? Thanks for allowing God to continue working in your life.
I sure live as if I have arrogance to live by what I know. That plan has not worked out so well…
Been there done that tom. got me in trouble also. Thanks.
Hi Bill,
what comes to my mind to conquor arrogance and pride is to bend our knee to God and to do His will.
True worship of God with our heart and body can help overcome pride and arrogance. Bowing down to another.
surrendering to another, the giving over of our lives to another.
King David humbled himself when he dressed in a plain white tunic and danced with all his might bringing the ark of God to Jerusalem. A tremendous number of valuable animals were sacrificed along the way as well. Thousands upon thousands of them.
Crying out to God is humbling. Believing in God is humbling. Testifying and wittnessing of our faith can be humbling. We diminish in stature and favor in the eyes of the world when we believe and follow such ‘nonsense’.
I think that as we follow after the Spirit there are breakthroughs in the area of arrogance and an attitude of humbleness that manifests itself as we mature in Christ.
Again, I think that the problems of arrogance and pride are actions and beliefs of our flesh (old nature) and have to be put under through our obedience to Christ.
The first step of obedience is sometimes the hardest. The dominion of the flesh is being invaded and there is resistance and reluctance on the part of our deluded and deceived ‘old man’ thinking and beliefs to give this control up.
I don’t think that I am completely free of arrogance and pride but I believe that I mostly display these in ignorance and innocence. The Holy Spirit of God is not convicting me in these areas. He knows my heart.
You state it well in several places Linda. First, the key to conquering is to bend the knee. Second, it is from our old nature (flesh). continual bending of the knee is necessary. Thanks for your input.
I still have times I struggle with being arrogant. Which I have found only blocks Godly wisdom. I have found being in close connection with God and being teachable helps. Great post.
Thanks for your honesty Dan. No doubt what you suggest (being in close connection and teachable) helps. Thanks for the comment.
For me, it’s more stubbornness. There are times where I just want to be a pain in the butt for the sake of..it’s a pride thing. I still do struggle with it from time to time, but like you, I fall flat on my face. It doesn’t do anything for me, and God reminds me of that.
Ah yeah, that old stubborn streak. Glad I don’t have one. Ahem! Pride is ugly and I am glad God continues to remind me of it. Thanks Jon.
This is something I’ve had to fight my entire life. Going into radio as a teenager just drove my arrogance to a whole new stratosphere. It’s taken a lot of years and pain to tear some of it down.
That would be a “heady” thing jason. Sad that it takes so long to break down what took very little time to blow up. Thanks for being honest.
My struggle has the been the opposite. Insecurity is an ugly beast. I don’t like the man I used to be either. I’m thankful that God put people in my life to help me find my identity in Him.
Definitely the other side of the coin Rob. Too much or too little. Glad you found some folks to show you your identity. Thanks for coming ’round.
I don’t think it is me being arrogant as much as having to deal with arrogant people daily in my ventures.
I generally try to avoid the arrogant personality of others but can be quite arrogant if pressed by outside forces( other arrogant people).
Usually if you give then enough rope, they will hang their self instead.
I find the fight to puff myself up stronger when I am around arrogant people. Good point Larry. Thanks.
Nancy Leigh DeMoss had a list out a while back called 41 evidences of pride. She has since removed it from her website, but it was a convicting read. I have a hard time believing that there is anyone out there who doesn’t struggle with pride or arrogance at one time or another. Maybe some of us more than others. I suppose the key is not that we struggle, but how we deal with that struggle. God is forever chiseling my heart into new shapes and forms, cutting away at the old arrogant me and humbling me one painful incident at a time. I have shed many tears, but I am thankful for the proof and assurance of “relationship” that His chastening brings.
Sounds like that would have been a good read Lori. Too bad she has taken it down. I definitely agree with you that we need to allow God to continue chiseling away at our heart. I pray you will always be open to His chiseling. Thanks for the honest comment.