NOVEMBER 20

FREEDOM FROM ARROGANCE

PSALM 131:1


“Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty.” (Ps. 131:1)

Unlike many leaders today, David wasn’t afraid to share his secrets of success. He didn’t fear someone taking his insights and becoming more successful than him. David was completely secure in himself and in the Lord. He wished others success and didn’t hesitate to share what he’d learned in the process of becoming a successful king. One of four secrets described in Psalm 131 is David’s freedom from arrogance.

Arrogance is exaggerated self-esteem. It’s both the source of Lucifer’s original sin (Is. 14:12-14 and Ezek. 28:16) and all of our personal sins. An arrogant person competes with everyone around them. This sin causes them to condescend to those they consider beneath them and to be jealous of those who seem to be better. They’re too proud to admit their own weaknesses or recognize anyone else’s strengths.

They can tell a woman how to be a better housewife, a businessman how to better manage his company, and a computer operator how to access the newest technology. The arrogant can teach others, but can’t be taught themselves. How can you teach someone who thinks they know everything? Arrogance is the only disease that makes everyone sick, except the one who has it.

The enemy of the arrogant is the confident. The confident person relies on God’s grace and not their own ability. David’s security didn’t come from his position as king but from his relationship with the Lord.

He could lose his kingdom and not lose his security. If you met with King David, you’d walk away saying, “He is still a shepherd. He is just wearing a crown!” (BY)