Proverbs 16.18
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
The message of this Proverb is: Beware the dangers of arrogance. Arrogance distorts, deceives, and eventually destroys. We must be very careful to avoid getting caught in the gravitational pull of prideful self-centeredness.
As I posted a couple years ago, even secular writers recognize the destructive impact of an arrogant ego.
“The fundamental enemy of moral living is the fat relentless ego of humanity’s inherent selfishness,” writes one sociologist. “Every one of us lives with this enemy. It is that part of each of us that screams out “me first” and demands to be satisfied no matter who gets hurt along the way, and that includes hurting oneself in the long term to gain satisfaction in the short term.”
Selfish ego is an adversary that we must defeat. Best-selling author Ryan Holliday makes this observation: “Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, your worst enemy already lives inside you: your ego.”
Though not a follower of Christ, Holliday rightly observes and defines the impact of an arrogant ego: “It’s that petulant child inside every person, the one that chooses getting his or her way over anything or anyone else. It’s the sense of superiority and certainty that exceeds the bounds of confidence and talent. It’s when the notion of ourselves and the world grows so inflated that it begins to distort the reality that surrounds us.”
The title of Holliday’s book? Ego is the Enemy. Here is how he describes it: “The ego we see most commonly goes by a more casual definition: an unhealthy belief in our own importance. Arrogance. Self-centered ambition.”
Yet, despite the warnings, many people follow in the footsteps of the evil one and fall prey to the corrupting influence of arrogance and self-centeredness. Holliday offers a particularly clear statement of the dangers of self-absorbed arrogance:
“Ego is the enemy of what you want and of what you have: Of mastering a craft. Of real creative insight. Of working well with others. Of building loyalty and support. Of longevity. Of repeating and retaining your success. It repulses advantages and opportunities. It’s a magnet for enemies and errors.”
Wow! Do you see the destructiveness of arrogance and self-centeredness? May we reject arrogance and humble ourselves before the God who created us, saves us, and sends us into the world as agents of his kingdom.
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4.10)
The Lord is calling.
