Love Is Not Arrogant_ Spiritual Love (6)
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February 24, 2019 |
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 Senior Pastor Rev. Jaerock Lee
"Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant," 1 Corinthians 13:4
Most of those who brag feel they are superior to others, and they easily fall into arrogance. They think things are going well with them because they are very capable, so they tend to get conceited and become lazy. When we read the Bible carefully we can see one of the evils that God hates the most is arrogance.
1. Characteristics of those Who Are Arrogant
To be arrogant is marked by or arising from a feeling or assumption of one's superiority toward others. Arrogant people consider themselves the best. They look down on others and assume the teaching attitude in all things.
Generally one is arrogant toward those who seem to be inferior, but in some serious cases a person may be arrogant toward their teachers, leaders, or those in higher positions. They might complain saying, "He doesn't know what he is doing," or they don't listen to them saying "Well, I know that, too."
If you talk with an arrogant person, it easily leads to arguments. In some serious cases it may develop into strife. Prov. 13:10 says, "Through insolence comes nothing but strife, But wisdom is with those who receive counsel." 2 Tim. 2:23 says, "But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels."
We should realize how foolish and evil it is to think only we are right. People have different consciences and knowledge because they all have learned differently and have different experiences. Most of human knowledge has many flaws. Some might have input wrong ideas. When these thoughts become set, they become self-righteousness frameworks of thoughts.
When self-righteousness is solidified, it becomes a framework. It might become a framework of personality or framework of knowledge. Frameworks are like the skeleton of a man, and thus, once it is formed, it is not easy to break. Most thoughts of men come from self-righteousness and frameworks.
Those who have inferiority complexes seem to be sensitive about everything. When a rich man touches the collar of his shirt they think he is bragging. If a person uses more erudite terminology, they think the person is talking down to them. If you are arrogant, you can't accept the fact that you were wrong. Therefore, it only leads to arguments.
On the contrary, those who are humble do not argue at all, even if they are right and others are clearly wrong. Even if they are 100% sure, they still think they might be wrong. They don't need to win in an argument with others.
A humble mind contains spiritual love that considers others better than ourselves. Even if others are less fortunate, less educated, or have less social power, a humble minded person still considers others better than themselves.
2. Fleshly Arrogance and Spiritual Arrogance
Usually, we can easily realize outward arrogance, such as a person flaunting themselves or openly looking down on others. This is fleshly arrogance. Once we accept Jesus Christ and learn the truth, we try to cast away the fleshly arrogance, and it is discarded quite easily.
However, spiritual arrogance is difficult to realize, and even more difficult to throw away. What is spiritual arrogance? As we lead our Christian lives we learn the word of God. We might even have high positions in the church. Then, we mistakenly think what we know is what we have cultivated. We might think we are discerning between right and wrong while we are actually pointing fingers at others and judging them.
Some are arrogant and ignore all the procedures and the order of things that they have to go through following their own benefit. And yet, they think it's OK considering their positions. All these things tell us what spiritual arrogance is. If they say they love God while they disregard God's law and order, we can't say they love God. We can't say we have love while we pass judgment on others. Love always sees, hears, and speaks of good things.
James 4:11 says, "Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it."
When we see the faults of others, we should check ourselves as to whether or not we pass judgment first or we try to cover them. Then we can realize the extent to which we have cultivated humility and love.
Anyone can become arrogant before they are completely sanctified. Therefore, it is imperative we completely remove the root of its sinful nature. Unless we pull it out fully through fervent prayers, arrogance can re-emerge at any time. It is like weeds that come up again unless we pull their root out.
Therefore, like children we should always humble ourselves before the Lord, consider others better than ourselves, and keep on striving to cultivate the highest level of love.
3. The Arrogant Believing in Themselves
Nebuchadnezzar opened the golden era of the Babylonian Empire. One of the wonders of the ancient times, the Hanging Gardens, was built by him. He boasted of his empire and all the great works he achieved. He made an image of himself and made the people worship it as if it was a god (Dan. 4:30).
God let this arrogant Nebuchadnezzar realize who the ruler of the world really is (Dan. 4:31-32). He was driven away from the palace. He ate grass like cattle in the field. Only after seven years did he come back to his senses. He finally realized his arrogance and acknowledged God (Dan. 4:37).
Some unbelievers believe in themselves. However, we know there are so many problems that can't be resolved by human power. Even with the cutting-edge technology and science, men are helpless in the face of such natural disasters as hurricanes or earthquakes. There are also so many incurable diseases.
And yet, when they face such problems, they believe in themselves and rely on their own thoughts, experience, and knowledge rather than relying on God. If they can't solve the problem, they complain against God. They don't accept their weaknesses and they can't rely on God due to their arrogance. What is more regrettable is that even believers rely on themselves and the world more than they rely on God.
God is God of justice, and thus, He can't just intercede to help those who do not humble themselves. For those people, they can't be protected from the disturbing works of Satan, and they can't prosper. Prov. 18:12 says, "Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, But humility goes before honor."
Dear brothers and sisters,
All men are same and equal creatures before God the Creator. Even if they have many things to brag about, this world is only momentary, and we will soon face judgment. God will pay us back according to our deeds.
James 4:10 says, "Hear, my son, and accept my sayings and the years of your life will be many." I pray in the name of the Lord that you will humble yourself before God and obey Him so that you will be honored in the kingdom of heaven later.
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