Introduction
The Bible is filled with wisdom when it comes to understanding our attitudes and behavior. It provides insight into how to live according to God’s will and practical application for every facet of our lives. Within its teachings, the Bible specifically warns us about becoming prideful and arrogant. This article therefore takes a look at what the Bible says about arrogance.
Biblical Definition Of Arrogance
The Bible defines arrogance as having pride, being self-centered, haughty and thinking too highly of oneself. It speaks of those who are “puffed up” with their own importance and those who are “wise in their own eyes.” (Proverbs 3:7; Isaiah 5:21).
God’s Word On Pride And Arrogance
God’s Word is clear when it comes to warning us against pride and arrogance. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” This verse speaks to the fact that arrogance can lead us astray, causing us to make poor decisions that can have long-term consequences. Other verses in the Bible, such as James 4:6 and Proverbs 11:2, warn us against becoming proud and arrogant.
What Pride Causes
Proud and arrogant people often fall into self-centeredness and neglect the needs of others. The Bible speaks of those who ignore the suffering of others as having “puffed up” hearts (Proverbs 6;2-3). They think more highly of themselves than they should and that sense of pride can lead to feelings of superiority, isolation and even bitterness towards others.
Biblical Advice On How To Overcome Arrogance
The Bible provides wisdom on how to overcome pride and arrogance. Philippians 2:3-4 encourages us to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” This verse urges us to humble ourselves and put the needs and interests of others before our own. The Bible also warns us that pride can lead to destruction and encourages us to be humble and obedient to God’s Word.
Consequences of Arrogance
The Bible teaches us that arrogance can have long-term and far-reaching consequences. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” This verse speaks to the fact that arrogance can lead us astray and cause us to make decisions that can have a lasting impact. Arrogance can lead to feelings of superiority and can turn us away from God as well. It can also lead to isolation, bitterness and anger.
God’s Love For The Humble
The Bible also provides assurance that those who humble themselves will be blessed. The Bible speaks of God’s love for the humble in James 4:6 when it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” God rewards those who are humble and willing to trust in Him, and He promises great things to those who come to Him with a humble heart.
Action To Take
The Bible has clear teachings concerning arrogance and pride. It encourages us to be humble and to put away pride so that we can walk in accordance with God’s will. Those who are willing to humble themselves can experience the joy and peace that comes with obedience to God’s Word. It is important to remember that pride and arrogance can cause us to make decisions that are not in line with God’s will and can lead to destruction.
Applying God’s Word
Living a life of humility and obedience is the only way to truly experience the peace, joy and purpose that God desires for us. It takes intentionality and practice to live a life of humility, but it is possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is most important to stay grounded in the Word of God and to intentionally choose to live a life of humility and obedience.
Moving Towards Humility
In order to live a life of humility, we must remember that God does not love us because of our strength or our own accomplishments, but instead He loves us because of His mercy and grace. We must strive to remember that God is the source of our joy and worth, and not our own accomplishments.
Seeking God’s Help
Humility is sometimes difficult to practice and it can be easy to fall back into our prideful ways. In these moments, it is important to remember to turn to God for help. Ephesians 2:9-10 reminds us that it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can become humble. We must decide to turn away from our pride and humble ourselves before God, trusting in Him to bring us to a place of humility.
Living a Humble Life
When we finally have a humble attitude, it will be evident in our actions. We will look to serve rather than be served, and we will practice selfless living. We will have a desire to put the needs of others ahead of our own. We will be open to listening without thinking immediately of an answer or rebuttal, and we will recognize our human frailty and embrace our mistakes.
Conclusion
The Bible speaks clearly on the negative consequences of pride and the positive outcomes of humility. In order to live a life of humility, we must be intentional to apply the teachings of scripture, remembering to trust in God’s power to lead us in the right direction. Living a life of humility will bring us more peace, joy and purpose than anything else in this world and we must strive to live in obedience to the Word of God.
