Mankinds Ten Worst Enemies: #2 Arrogance

According to H. G. Bosch, the newspaper cartoonist H. T. Webster once amused himself by sending telegrams to 20 of his acquaintances whom he selected at random. Each message contained just one word: "Congratulations." As far as Webster knew, not one of his friends had done anything special for which to be complimented. Yet, each person was so flattered that he immediately wrote Webster a letter of thanks. All 20 of his friends assumed they had done something worthy of a congratulatory telegram!

Surprising? I think not. Whereas pride can be defined as an excessively high opinion of oneself; arrogance is the state or quality of being overly convinced of one's own importance. From a Christian perspective, arrogance is man's inflated belief in his own abilities that interferes with his recognition of the grace of God. In other words, we cannot see God, or experience God for we are too focused on ourselves.

In a sense, arrogance is like a weed that grows amid the beautiful roses and yet, it believes itself to be far more pleasing to the eye. The arrogant person enjoys being paramount and awards himself a high degree of importance. But arrogance is deadly and an enemy to the soul. It is an outward expression of an inward flaw. A bloated ego is the most serious obstacle to submission to God. It is the enemy within that prevents us from accepting God's omnipotence and absolute authority. Consequently, it is our own arrogance that stands between us and redemption into God's kingdom.

I am reminded of Jesus' prayer for Peter. Remember, at a certain point during the Last Supper, Jesus focused His entire attention on Simon? He tells him, "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail." Luke 22:31-32a. (NIV).

This is significant because Simon had become arrogant. He had gotten beside himself; self assured and over confident. He had become boastful and big headed. He exuded an air of superiority and certainty about himself. He thought he knew who he was and what he was about. He had become conceited and no one could tell him anything.

Simon had soared to great heights. He was the chief spokesman for the twelve, water walker, rock man, one of Jesus' inner circle, and prominent figure at the transfiguration. To himself, he was somebody. Simon was so inculcated with a sense of his own special importance that he even went so far as to assume he knew more about Jesus' mission than Jesus Himself.

This is why prayer is so important to the Christian life. We need prayer to overcome Satan. Satan got a hold of Simon and carried him on a hurricane ride through hell. He poisoned Simon's spirit and confused his mind and made him betray the most important person ever to come into his life.

Arrogance is one of many tools used by Satan. If we are not careful, he will use this tool to wreck our system of values, paralyze our spirit and ruin our capacity to reason. He can dull our conscience and transform our home from a place of peace and love to a wasteland of disturbance and discord. And, sometimes, for our own good God has to let Satan shake us and sift us for a time.

So whoever you are, regardless of how high you think you may be escalating spiritually, watch out, be cautious, don't indulge the enemy, and pray for humility. While you are climbing Jacob's ladder to spiritual heights, watch your footing. Because I have learned that even the roads to spiritual heights are paved with ice.

SIDEBAR NOTE: Winston Churchill once had a very arrogant cabinet member. When this person left the room one day, Churchill turned to the rest of his cabinet and said, "There, but for the grace of God goes God!"

Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, veteran social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach which can be reviewed on her site. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: My Grief Management Workbook, is expected to be available soon.

You are welcome to visit AMEN Ministries: Your Soul's Service Station for spiritual refreshing, soul edification, browse our newly expanded Stop & Shop Mini Mall or review our recommended books you may want to add to your personal library.

Blessings to all!

---

Should Christians Drink Alcohol?

Tea-totalling Texans? Them's fightin' words!I live in a small Texas... Read More

An Open Invitation

"All you who are thirsty, come and drink." ISAIAH 55:1,... Read More

The Simple Plan of Asking and Receiving

The Question Really picture this in your mind.... Someone tells... Read More

For the Glory of God

One of the most touching stories in New Testament scripture... Read More

The Truth About Lifes Challenges (Living By Zen)

The great gate is open, but travelers seek everywhereâ?? -... Read More

The Power of Angels - An Interview With Rose Ann Schwab - Part 1

Rose Ann Schwab is an internationally and world renowned professional... Read More

Life is like Golf

In the golfing world, yesterday may have been one of... Read More

Coming Home

I find myself floating on a cloud as heavenly music... Read More

Path to Healing

It is within us to... Read More

A Word Filty Spoken

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in... Read More

Relieve Me of Myself

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself... Read More

Acknowledging Emotions and Feelings

We'll begin with a question:What is a moral?I'd say it's... Read More

Spiritual Sanity

Prior to the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United... Read More

Secrets of Effortless Action

Action dakini gets everything done. When wanting and grasping hold... Read More

Writing Letters to God

Many of you come to this site because you are... Read More

You Can Influence Your Fortunes In Life

Natural laws exist that serve to maintain order in the... Read More

Dark Cages

Acknowledgement of our need of God and reliance upon Him... Read More

Past Life: Wanting to Know Who I was in My Past Life?

Before we tread into the domain of Past Life... we... Read More

Do You Really Want to Know the Truth?

Back in 1992, Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise co-starred in... Read More

Life as a Human/Medium/Psychic Being

We often forget that we are human beings first, and... Read More

Gods To Do List - Get Specific!

I know eyebrows are probably raising about now, but let... Read More

Jesus the Great Teacher --Lessons Learned!

I don't know of anyone who really liked taking tests... Read More

God Loves You With the Love of God

Do you ever feel that what you read in some... Read More

Drop the Negations

What really binds us to any negative emotional state in... Read More

In Search of a Teacher of Spirit: Eleven Conscious Considerations

Many of us are on an inward or outward path-to... Read More

What Exactly is Grace?

This question, "what is grace" plagued me more into knowing... Read More

Understanding the Gospel of Matthew and Why it Matters - Part 2

Matthew 1:1-17The Genealogy of Jesus Christ1 The book of the... Read More

A SPIRITUAL SOLUTION - Wisdom From The Fulfillment Forum Books & Study Courses

A few men and women are universally successful but such... Read More

Spirituality: Living the Whole

The words 'new age' and 'spirituality' can have people running... Read More

Unleashing The Treasures Of The Midnight

'O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom... Read More

How Does God See You?

How does God see you? Does He like what He... Read More

How Its Always Now

How do we feel the fullness of life itself?We have... Read More

Let Go Of My EgGO--Pride Cometh Before A Fall!

Years ago a commercial ran for eggo waffles. It showed... Read More