Title: Aspects of Love
We probably all recognize a boasting blowhard when we hear one.
Have you considered that boasting and arrogance can be more subtle than that?
Pride is central to our selfishness. They walk hand in hand in our heart.
Only a humiliating cross can destroy our pride.
Let’s have a look together at these character qualities that oppose Godly love.
First, let’s define “Boast”
Perpereúomai = to heap praise on oneself, behave as a ‘braggart or windbag’
Synonyms = to think too highly, to surpass, excel
Now we’ll define “Arrogant”
Phusióō = to cause to have an exaggerated self-conception, puff up, make proud
Synonyms = to inflate with pride, to be high–minded, to exalt above, to elevate above others
The words imply an arrogant insensitivity to others [selfishness], matched with overwhelming self-confidence [pride]. This attitude leads to conduct that in turn brings destruction, for only God can rightly be the source and object of our pride.
The root of arrogance and pride is refusal to consider God or respond to him. Instead, the arrogant supposes that human beings can live successfully apart from an obedient relationship with the Lord.
Genesis 3:4–5 (ESV)
4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.
5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Let’s look at some more scripture examples
1 Kings 20:11 (ESV)
11 And the king of Israel answered, “Tell him, ‘Let not him who straps on his armor boast himself as he who takes it off.’ ”
James 4:13–16 (ESV)
13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—
14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
1 Corinthians 1:28–31 (ESV)
28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,
29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Colossians 2:18 (ESV)
18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind,
1 Corinthians 8:1–3 (ESV)
1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.
2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.
3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.
Character studies
Mark 14:29–31 (ESV)
29 Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.”
30 And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.”
31 But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same.
Mark 10:35–37 (ESV)
35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”
36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?”
37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.”
Mark 10:38–39 (ESV)
38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”
39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized,
Mark 10:40–41 (ESV)
40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”
41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John.
Mark 10:42–45 (ESV)
42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,
44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.
45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Christ’s example
John 13:3–5 (ESV)
3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,
4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist.
5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
John 13:12–17 (ESV)
12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you?
13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.
16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
A “boaster” and an “arrogant” person do not live by our acronym – FAMILY. The do not want you or I to forget about them. They would never say Forget About Me I Love You.
The arrogant one is self-absorbed. This individual’s view of themselves is so exaggerated they expect you to have the same view.
The boaster takes it a step further, and makes sure to let you know what he knows about himself.
You could say these two fellows are the center of their universe. Everyone they contact is supposed to get into a proper orbit around their brilliant light.
That all sounds pretty bad. Although I could be wrong, my guess is we all figure this is obviously not our sin. Shall we probe a little deeper? Shall we root around for infection?
Maybe we might find ourselves to be just like the Rich Young Ruler who thought he was good until Jesus hit him right between his eyes with the truth.
Arrogant people don’t ask for help.
Arrogant people don’t ask for counsel – not even opinions. They especially don’t ask their wives to give them counsel.
Arrogant people never or rarely acknowledge sins or faults.
Arrogant people can be angry people.
Arrogant people do not seek to understand the thoughts or perspectives of others.
Arrogant people ooze pride in their body language. Ever roll your eyes?
Proverbs 30:11–13 (NLT) — 11 Some people curse their father and do not thank their mother. 12 They are pure in their own eyes, but they are filthy and unwashed. 13 They look proudly around, casting disdainful glances.
Arrogant people usually don’t say thanks, unless there’s something to gain from it.
Shall we think of some more, or is that enough for now?
We really are much worse than we think, are we not?
I’ll finish with one more question, and then some promises.
How do you respond when someone criticizes you?
How do you react to correction?
Usually, the temptation is to respond in anger. You have a view of yourself, and everyone else better have it to.
Then the critic shows up and knocks over the tables of your reputation.
We probably say to ourselves or out loud, “Hey! That’s not me! That’s not right. That matters, and I’m going to put a stop to it!”
Let’s take a more excellent way.
I see myself as God sees me—a sinner. There is no escaping the truth: “No one is righteous, not even one” (Rom. 3:9–18). In response to my sin, the cross has criticized and judged me more intensely, deeply, pervasively, and truly than anyone else ever could. This knowledge permits us to say to all other criticism of us: “This is just a fraction of it.”
In light of God’s judgment and justification of the sinner in the cross of Christ, we can begin to discover how to deal with any and all criticism. By agreeing with God’s criticism of me in Christ’s cross, I can face any criticism man may lay against me. In other words, no one can criticize me more than the cross has. And the most devastating criticism turns out to be the finest mercy. If you thus know yourself as having been crucified with Christ, then you can respond to any criticism, even mistaken or hostile criticism, without bitterness, defensiveness, or blameshifting.
Promises that deliver
1 Peter 5:6 (ESV)
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
James 4:6–10 (ESV)
6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.