Shameless Arrogance
“Here are some of the other things he taught them at this time: ‘Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they love to parade in flowing robes and to have everyone bow to them as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and at banquets. But they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property, and then, to cover up the kind of people they really are, they make long prayers in public. Because of this, their punishment will be the greater’” – Mark 12:38-40 (NLT).
There is no sin more offensive than that of arrogance. Arrogant, haughty people who think they are better, smarter, and more important than others are offensive and nauseating. They bark orders and dictate; they ignore the feelings and sensitivities of others; they parade their superior intellects (or so they think); they project the “I’m always right and your always wrong” attitude. They can never lose an argument or fail to get the last word. Just being around them makes us uncomfortable and even angry or disgusted
The teachers of religious law in Jesus’ day were shamelessly arrogant. They felt they could do no wrong. They saw themselves as so much better than others that they wore flowing robes to accentuate their self-concocted superiority. Further, they liked to sit in seats of honor where people could point at them and be wowed by their impressive position. They were so arrogant that they even cheated widows out of their property, but instead of seeing this as sin, they saw it is righteous self-propagation, and even as a godly endeavor.
Arrogance is ever blind to itself. Arrogant people usually cannot see their arrogance. All they know is that others need to agree with them or get out of the way. And, like the religious teachers of Jesus’ day, they even see their arrogant living as Godly and right. Arrogance is supremely blind.
But what causes arrogance? What ugly root is at the bottom of the poisonous tree? In a word “self-worship.” The arrogant person that believes he or she is the center of the universe or organization or team or church or group and everyone should worship and exalt him or her. Deep down, consciously or unconsciously, the arrogant person says to himself, “I am god.” Even if they would never intellectually assent to the truth that they see themselves this way, in their hearts, they believe it, and all their actions show it.
Refusal to admit wrong; insistence on doing everything their way; becoming angry when being questioned or disagreed with; snubbing, ignoring, or refusing to seek advice and counsel - - such are the actions of arrogance.
Saddam Hussein is the supreme example of arrogance. To this day he denies that he can be wrong about anything and claims to be the rightful ruler of Iraq – even from a jail cell. To him, it does not matter that he tortured and murdered millions of innocent people. They were insignificant compared to him; mere pawns to be dealt with or disposed of at his whim. Their pain and pleas for mercy meant nothing to him, just nothing at all. Why? Because he was arrogant and in his heart he saw himself as the little god of Iraq.
Unfortunately, there’s a little Saddam Hussein in all of us. There’s a little arrogant beast that lives within. We must guard against it, because God hates it. He vigorously opposes pride and arrogance in any shape or form at any time in any place, wherever he finds it. James wrote, “God sets himself against the proud, but he shows favor to the humble” – James 4:6 (NLT).
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want God against me. That’s scary! I’m a sure loser if that happens. Jesus makes it plain that an arrogant leader is headed for a fall. He cannot last, for God will oppose him. He opposes all arrogance and pride. He opposes arrogant employers; arrogant athletes; arrogant celebrities; arrogant teachers; arrogant politicians; arrogant churches or church-sponsored organizations; or arrogant pastors or elders or leaders. He opposes anyone who drips with haughtiness in their dealings with others. Anywhere and anytime arrogance exists, God opposes it.
So I must take the antidote to arrogance and daily inject myself with humility like Jesus had. He was God, but left the glories of heaven to become a human being. As a human he submitted to God’s will and became a servant. As a submissive servant he died a criminal’s death on a cross to save our souls (See Philippians 2:3-9). There wasn’t even one ounce of arrogance in Jesus - ever. That’s a huge reason why people loved and followed him.
So if I lead, I must lead with the humility of Jesus. I should consider others more important than myself. If I preach or teach, I must consider those listening to me as better than myself. If I am in business, I should treat my employees and customers as greater than myself. If I am a mother or father I should raise my children as if their needs are more critical than mine. If I am a student, my teacher and classmates should be VIPs to me. In all my dealings with others I should seek to act with lowliness and humility. This includes quickly admitting when I’m wrong and acknowledging when others are right. It means that I forsake posturing, craving attention and recognition, and the stubborn desire to always have the last word or win every argument. It means bowing to the authorities God has placed over my life and discovering the joy of submission.