DISPLAY OF PRIDE AND
ARROGANCE

Display of pride and arrogance is a state of inordinate self-esteem, an unreasonable conceit of superiority in talent, beauty, wealth, and rank; among other traits, that promote self-esteem or self-worth of oneself!

Once a person suits up with self-esteem it can lead to lofty airs towards others, consciousness of power, with real or imagined superiority. It was noted that pride that dines on vanity sups on contempt!

Display of Pride
and Arrogance Warning

The Prophet Isaiah, in speaking the words of the Lord, gave warning towards arrogance: I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogance of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible (Isaiah 13:11).

We are seeing a display of pride and arrogance displayed with rulers of tyranny, some having already been deposed from their high position of authority, in which they exalted themselves and caused others to suffer.

Scripture reveals: Pride goes before destruction and a haughty (arrogant) spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18). This gives warning that one not fall into the display of pride and arrogance and identifies the fate of those who do!

Recognition of God

The Prophet Daniel revealed the fate of the king of Babylon who proclaimed: Is not this great Babylon that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty? And while the word was in the king’s mouth, there came a voice from heaven saying, to you it is spoken (after previous warning was given); the kingdom is departed from you.

They shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with beasts of the field, and they will make you to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times (years) shall pass over you, till you know that the most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever he will (Daniel 4:30-32). This is a reminder to any who would fall into the category of pride and arrogance, until recognition of God as the Creator; and ruler of the kingdom of men, comes into focus!

Change of Heart

Daniel revealed a change of heart on behalf of the king of Babylon: At the end of the days (time) he lifted up his eyes unto heaven, and his understanding returned to him, and he blessed the most High, and he praised and honored him that lives forever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation (Daniel 4:34).

At that very moment, the king of Babylon had his kingdom restored to him! Display of pride and arrogance can happen even to the best if allowed to fester and grow as a cancer! It was noted that the bigger a person or thing is, the greater is the fall; and very often when a man has reached the height of riches and honor, and he is swelling with pride and vanity on account of it, he is on the edge of ruin and his fall immediate.

Fallacy of Pride and
Arrogance

Jesus said: Take heed, and beware of covetousness; for a man’s life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses (Luke 12:15). Jesus then related the fallacy of a display of pride and arrogance in the parable of the rich man, in saying: The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully.

And he thought within himself, saying, what shall I do because I have no room to bestow (store) my goods? This will I do, I will tear down my barns, and build greater; and there store all my fruits (crops) and my goods. I will say to my soul, Soul, you have much goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry (Luke 12:16-19).

Not Rich Toward
God

Jesus revealed, in the parable of the rich man, that God said to him, you fool, this night your soul shall be required of you; then whose shall those things be, which you have provided? So is he that lays up treasures for himself and is not rich toward God (Luke 12:20-21).

It was noted that laying up treasures for oneself is to employ all thoughts and time in amassing worldly riches for self; making no use of one’s earthly substance to the good of others, but placing one’s hope, trust, and confidence in uncertain riches; but is not rich toward things of God!

Wise and Prudent in
One's Own Sight

The Prophet Isaiah, in speaking the words of the Lord, issued a warning: Woe to them that are wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight (Isaiah 5:21)! The display of pride and arrogance is descriptive of the Scribes and Pharisees, the religious of Jesus’ day; being wise above what was written, leaving the Word of God and following the traditions of men.

We see this happening in many churches, and denominations, as they divorce themselves from “What Thus Saith the Lord” and the “Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God!” A new social gospel has emerged that no longer spells out sin, as identified is God’s Word, becoming tolerant towards the secular influences of the world, and even endorsing their concept! There is a dispensing of a watered down version of God’s Word to fit into the culture drift of today!

Bandwagon of Deceit

Apostle Paul wrote: We dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves; they measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves among themselves, are not wise (2 Corinthians 10:12).

Many today blindly jump on the bandwagon of popularity for a cause they do not understand; through a well-spoken individual who is deceptive in nature; not looking into the truth of the matter, but in ignorance joining into the heat of the moment because others have made it appear acceptable!

Display of pride and arrogance comes into focus as promotional ideals of brotherhood and unity are focused on to enhance what is being sought after! Before one jumps on the bandwagon of popular movements it would be wise to first examine the true motive behind them.

Fulfillment through Pleasure

A display of pride and arrogance was noted in the words of King Solomon: I made great works, I built houses, I planted vineyards, I made gardens and orchards, I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits, I made pools of water to water (irrigate) therewith the wood that brings forth from the trees.

I got servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house, and had great possessions of great and small cattle above (more than) all that were in Jerusalem before me (Ecclesiastes 2:4-7). It was noted that Solomon pursued fulfillment through pleasures, great works, wealth, artistic pleasures and fame. All these failed to bring lasting satisfaction to the wisest man of all time!

Grasping for the
Wind

Scripture reveals the outcome of Solomon’s searching for fulfillment through earthly possessions: I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem; also my wisdom (God-given) remained with me. And whatever my eyes desire I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy (pleasure); for my heart rejoiced in all my labor; and this was my portion (reward) of all my labor.

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought (produced), and on the labor that I had labored (toiled) to do; and behold, all was vanity (futility) and vexation of spirit (grasping for the wind), and there was no profit under the sun (Ecclesiastes 2:9-11).

Conclusion of the
Whole Matter

King Solomon acknowledged the futility of seeking earthly pleasure and gain, in saying: Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear (reverence) God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man; for God shall bring every work into judgment with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

It was noted that God has commanded man to live responsibly and wisely. The controlling factor of all of life should be the fear of God, that is, submission to God and His Word. The certainty of divine judgment is revealed: It is appointed to men once to die but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27); whether it be the Judgment Seat of Christ (for believers) or the Great White Throne Judgment (for unbelievers)!

Not Given to Haughty
Airs

The Prophet Samuel, in speaking the words of the Lord, warned against the display of pride and arrogance, in saying: Talk no more exceedingly proudly; let no arrogance come out of your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed (1 Samuel 2:3). It was noted to talk no more exceedingly proudly (in an overbearing manner), as if above everyone; is not to give in to haughty airs!

Let not arrogance come out of your mouth as your own merits, in that all comes from the Lord! For the Lord is a God of knowledge; He knows all persons and things; rational and irrational, the hearts of all men, all that they say, all their proud, haughty, or overbearing expressions. And by Him actions are weighed; according to His infinite wisdom, justice, and truth!

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DISPLAY OF PRIDE AND
ARROGANCE