1. An arrogant spirit is an abominaton To God (Prov. 16:5), “Everyone that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.”
2. Of the 7 things listed that God hates, arrogance is 1st. (Prov. 6:16-19), “These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: a proud look…”
3. Jesus Himself said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him,” and then goes on to list the thirteen characteristics of those who are outside of God’s favor, with arrogance being considered alongside sexual immorality and murder (Mark 7:20-23).
4. The Greek word for arrogance means a “puffing up of the soul” or “loftiness, pride” (2 Corinthians 12:20). It is incumbent upon believers to recognize that being arrogant or having a pompous attitude is antithetical to godliness (2 Peter 1:5-7). Arrogance is nothing more than an overt display of one’s sense of self-importance (2 Timothy 3:2). It is akin to that “it’s all about me” mindset that says, “The world revolves around me.” (Proverbs 21:24).
5. Arrogance is the reverse of God’s love. (1 Cor. 13:4) “Charity (or love) suffereth long and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself (does not boast), is not puffed up.”
6. The Christian’s behavior towards others should imitate that of Christ. Where the world pushes us to strive to reach the top and says that “he who has the most toys wins,” Jesus commands us to be different: (Luke 14:11) “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Likewise, (James 4:6) says, “But He giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
7. IN CONCLUSION: Regarding our attitudes towards God and our fellow-man, God gives us two promises. First, that the arrogant will be punished (Proverbs 16:5; Isaiah 13:11), and, second, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). For, in truth, “…be clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5); and, (Proverbs 3:34), “Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.”
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