Recently I read an ironic argument between several bloggers on arrogance. Accusations of arrogance abounded on every side of the issue. Each had his or her own opinion of what defined arrogance and what did not--who was arrogant and who wasn't. Each opined their opinion as more relevant and entitled to the correct understanding of arrogance than the other. The more I read, the greater offense was taken by various individuals in the conversation. It seemed silly. I saw no humility. I was tempted to join the conversation and say so. Thankfully, the LORD checked my spirit.
Folks are offended when they perceive they have been wronged--incorrectly described or caricatured. That offense finds its seed in pride. We become so sensitive about what others say that we cannot reason beyond how it affects us personally. Surely we all are tempted to think our thoughts closer to the truth than another at times. That may appear arrogant on our part to others. However, arrogance comes when we challenge anothers opinion as lesser than our own, their worth lesser than our own, their understanding lesser than our own, their knowledge lesser than our own--indeed, their "arrogance" more than our own. In other words, we claim a hold on a truth superior to another.
"We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise." 2 Corinthians 10:12
"They are not wise."
God gives us life, breath, spirit, body, mind, and soul. Our thoughts are not His thoughts. Our thoughts are mere garble compared to His. Sometimes we get ourselves in the way of sharing Christ. We can be so certain of our own understanding, our own enlightenment, our own beliefs, that we press those views upon others without giving the Holy Spirit an inch of space to interpret His Word for anothers heart in His way, in His time. We can, at times, be so passionate to present a message that it becomes ours rather than God's. People can see this, and feel this. We "know" and they don't. We "have" and they don't. No wonder they reject our attempts at sharing Jesus.
Where is the fruit of the Spirit--the love, the humility, the peace, the gentleness, the kindness, the self-control in our expediency to share the gospel? Is our faith in God or ourselves? Is not Jesus more powerful than our words? our doctrine? our clarity?
He is the Vine rooted in the Father. Any fruit that comes from our branches are His and His alone. We get no credit until we meet the LORD in glory. Then all glory is His--not ours to claim. In the final analysis of life...it's not up to us to be correct, to be validated or affirmed by man. It's not up to us to point out to others how right we are.
Humility leaves room for revelation; it bows its head more than it lifts its chin.
"For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends." 2 Corinthians 10:18
