We humans are flawed.  “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). It seems we can so easily swing from one side to the pendulum of humility to complete arrogance in record time as soon as the sin of pride enters our hearts.  We might do something good and immediately think we’re the best—while giving no credit to God who made us and shaped us. 

We become political beings.  Have you noticed how politicians who boast the loudest; “I’m not a politician, I’m not the same as my opponents, I will solve all the problems and do what is best for the people” are the very ones who, when elected, almost immediately fall to pleasing only the people who paid to get them in office.  This problem is ages old.  Nothing new to see here!

Many people who rise to power in any group, with the ability to make positive changes, are soon caught up with only being powerful people because of position who change little to nothing.  They fill the room with a lot of hot air that exposes their arrogant thinking that leads nowhere.  The only changes made are within themselves.

These seeds of arrogance grow and blossom into such pride that we think we rival God.

But God has no rivals!

Acts 12, The Message

The Death of Herod

^20-22 But things went from bad to worse for Herod. Now people from Tyre and Sidon put him on the warpath. But they got Blastus, King Herod’s right-hand man, to put in a good word for them and got a delegation together to iron things out. Because they were dependent on Judea for food supplies, they couldn’t afford to let this go on too long. On the day set for their meeting, Herod, robed in pomposity, took his place on the throne and regaled them with a lot of hot air. The people played their part to the hilt and shouted flatteries: “The voice of God! The voice of God!”

²³ That was the last straw. God had had enough of Herod’s arrogance and sent an angel to strike him down. Herod had given God no credit for anything. Down he went. Rotten to the core, a maggoty old man if there ever was one, he died.

²⁴ Meanwhile, the ministry of God’s Word grew by leaps and bounds.

²⁵ Barnabas and Saul, once they had delivered the relief offering to the church in Jerusalem, went back to Antioch.This time they took John with them, the one they called Mark.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Avoid pride at all costs.  Do we really want to become like Jesus, reflecting His character?  To become more like Jesus we must humble ourselves as He did. 

Philippians 2, written by Saul who become Paul, explains how to keep followers of Jesus in check:

“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God
    as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
    he took the humble position of a slave (servant)
    and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God
    and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
    and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.  Philippians 2:1-11, NLT

Enough said, now let us worship the King, the One and Only God—

You were the Word at the beginning
One with God the Lord Most High
Your hidden glory in creation
Now, revealed in You our Christ

What a beautiful Name it is, what a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a beautiful Name it is, nothing compares to this
What a beautiful Name it is, the Name of Jesus

You didn’t want heaven without us
So Jesus, You brought heaven down
My sin was great, Your love was greater
What could separate us now?

What a wonderful Name it is, what a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a wonderful Name it is, nothing compares to this
What a wonderful Name it is, the Name of Jesus
What a wonderful Name it is, the Name of Jesus

Death could not hold You, the veil tore before You
You silenced the boast of sin and grave
The Heavens are roaring the praise of Your glory
For You are raised to life again

You have no rival, You have no equalNow and forever, God, You reign
Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the Glory
Yours is the Name above all names

What a powerful Name it is, what a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a powerful Name it is, nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is, the Name of Jesus…

(“What a Beautiful Name,” By Brooke Ligertwood and Hillsong)

Lord,

Save us from our sins of pride and arrogance that block our view of you.

In Jesus Name, Amen