16 There are six things that the Lord hates,
seven that are an abomination to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that make haste to run to evil,
19 a false witness who breathes out lies,
and one who sows discord among brothers.
Proverbs 6:16-19 (ESV)
There is nothing more repulsive than a person who thinks they are better than everyone else. Remember 2 Corinthians 10:18,
“For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.“
To those who lie (yes, even “White” lies) on a daily basis, remember John 8:44,
“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.“
To those who have wicked intent in their hearts, remember Proverbs 26:27,
“Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.
Are you arrogant? Are you boastful of your credentials and your achievements to the point that you repel those whom you want to reach out to, even though you might have the right intent (to help other believers)? Remember what the apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5,
And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
You don’t need to have the title of a theologian. You can revel in your degree, but it doesn’t change the fact that in God’s eyes, we are ALL sinners. That doesn’t impress God. It most certainly did not impress Jesus Christ when He saw the hearts of those who were so-called taught in Scriptures, the Scribes and the Pharisees who were the “theologians and scholars” during His time but lacked the love and humility and were haughty.
Do you suffer with pride and arrogance? It’s something that oozes out of a person in the way they conduct themselves and it’s one of those things we can’t see but is truly ugly. If this is you, start your journey to humility by asking God to keep you humble in all circumstances.
[Image Credit: Danielle Evans|Marmaladebleue]
I really like your post. The sign that an individual might have the disease is when they start to climb a ladder to reach the highest point and stand on their own pedestal. Once a heart is exalted, their ears becomes stopped and no longer are able to hear from the Holy Spirit. A haughty person walks on dangerous grounds.
Thanks and Amen. I don’t have a problem with degrees actually as long as they don’t let that piece of paper get to their head. Without the Holy Spirit, a person can have a degree yet still not understand according to 1 Corinthians 2:14 when it comes to Theology.