How do we defeat arrogance? We can’t defeat something that we can’t define.
I think we tend to define arrogance as something we can see. The well groomed man dressed neatly, driving a shiny car, head held high, and his words dominate every conversation. No one can defeat him..pick a subject, he’s already been there and done that. Or the well-kept woman on her way to yet another meeting while juggling kid schedules, meal plans, and new ideas for date night. Devotions? No way! She’s already on her second time through the Bible for the year. That may or may not be arrogance, only God knows for sure.
What about the woman sitting on her living room floor, folding laundry, and bawling alone. That her whole life she felt she was ‘too much’ or ‘not enough’. That she loves and feels with her whole being but today she just can’t. She feels worthless. That she was raised learning that love comes with price tags. But she never had enough or did enough. That now, when friends call her family, she doesn’t understand…she will, inevitably, be too much or not enough and they will push her away too…so don’t get too close.
Her ‘pity party’ is all too real…the tears are real, the tightness in her chest, and that she is doing life alone is real and the thoughts are real but they are not truth.
She has accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Saviour and she knows He is her Creator. Her feelings of depression, loneliness, worry, defeat, failure, and being unloved are sins and signs of arrogance because they go against the character of God.
We are created by Him and for Him!
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” ~Revelation. 4:11
Or,
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:” ~Colossians 1:16
Or,
“ For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen” ~Romans 11:36
We are created for a purpose that He designed long ago and we are to lay our burdens down before Him.
And Jesus said, “ Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” ~ Matthew 11:28-29
We are to confess our sins of arrogance to remain righteous and in a position that God’s Spirit can work through us:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1John 1:9
Is she still alone? Physically, yes…spiritually, God is with her ALL the time. Will she never feel worthless again? No. But God’s truth is consistent and will not change. Will depression plague her again? It will try but God says she is worthy and that “He’s got it”…she has nothing to worry about.
Like her, we are to stand in the righteousness that He designed for us and allow Him to guide our steps in the purpose He has for us according to His will.
Hallelujah! ~M
Nuggets of Gold 