We can’t be entirely sure, but many of us believe that arrogance was the first sin. It is an ugly darkness that stirred within Satan, prompting him to attempt an overthrow of God’s throne. As Isaiah 14:12-15 (NLT) states, “How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’ Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths.” This passage illustrates that pride led to satan’s fall. Eve, Adam’s wife, allowed it to enter her heart, and from there, the sin of arrogance led to humanity’s devastating fall.
Repentance from arrogance forces us to acknowledge some significant truths from God’s Word. One of them is 1 John 3:2 (NLT): “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.” In this verse, we encounter a profound promise that speaks to the heart of our faith. It invites us to anchor our hope in our current identity as God’s children, but this is just the beginning of our extraordinary life in Christ.
As we anticipate the return of our beloved Redeemer, we are assured that we will be changed, reflecting his glory in ways beyond our comprehension. The promise of seeing him “as he really is” stirs our hearts to long for that day when we will fully experience him, and we are enveloped in his presence. This hope not only fuels our perseverance through trials but also deepens our understanding of our purpose in the here and now. It reminds us that we’re called to live with this future reality in mind, building a relationship with Christ that gets us ready for the incredible joy and love that’s waiting for us. So, 1 John 3:2 isn’t just about a future promise; it’s a clear call to embrace our identity as beloved children of God, shaped and guided by His grace as we look forward to our ultimate reunion with Christ.
1 Corinthians 13:12 (NLT) says: “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror; but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me now.” Now, we know in part; we don’t know the whole story. We must be careful not to behave as though we do.
Arrogance can blind us to the countless ways God has blessed us in Christ and the ways we have sinned against Him through our words, thoughts, actions, and behaviors. When we experience delays in the manifestation of our prayers, it’s all too easy to place the blame on God, failing to recognize that the answer may lie within our deeply embedded sin. Instead of confronting these issues, we often choose to ignore them, hoping they will simply resolve themselves.
Without a revelation, we might underestimate the significance of finally realizing the blocker that arrogance represents to our blessings and well-being. God isn’t withholding blessings from us. Trusting this truth is central to our journey toward spiritual growth and fulfillment. Our Heavenly Father desires our happiness and well-being infinitely more than we desire it for ourselves. We can be certain that when we align our beliefs with His Will, we will receive the blessings we long for. However, we cannot turn a blind eye to our sin. This is a truth that many of us find extremely uncomfortable.
Psalm 37:4 (NLT) reminds us: “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” To delight in the Lord means finding joy in our relationship with Him and cherishing the things that delight Him. So, what delights God? Proverbs 21:3 (NLT) states, “The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices.” This echoes the sentiment in 1 Samuel 15:22, which emphasizes that obedience to our Heavenly Father is far more valuable than mere sacrifice. Additionally, Micah 6:8 (NLT) clarifies this further: “The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
For many of us, refusing to recognize the impediment of our sin stifles our faith and blinds us to the healing and deliverance we desperately need. The burden of unconfessed. As Psalm 32:3-5 (NLT) reminds us, “When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.” It is in the courage to confess and surrender that we find the breakthrough our souls have been longing for.
Letting go of the tendency to use arrogance as a shield and refusing to confront our own sin keeps us in a cycle of brokenness. As Jesus reminds us in John 8:32 (NLT), “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” The truth we must embrace is that God calls upon us to recognize the sins that hold us back. He wants our hearts to be free from arrogance through earnest repentance.
Humility is a transformative virtue on our journey of saying “Yes” to God’s Will in every way. Our Heavenly Father requires us to be humble—not as self-deprecation, but as a recognition of our place and position in light of His greatness. As 1 Peter 5:6 (NLT) reminds us, “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.” Trusting in God’s timing helps us let go of the need to prove ourselves, allowing us to find true contentment in Him rather than seeking validation from others. We are commanded by Christ to always choose humility towards our Heavenly Father. It not only aligns us with His purpose but also frees us to experience the fullness of His grace and the peace that comes from surrendering our lives to His divine plan. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Freeing Your Heart from Arrogance”, written by Rev. Fran Mack. Edits by Kim Times and K. Lizzie for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2024. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.