Arrogance

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by Mike Ratliff

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (2 Timothy 3:1-5 ESV)

No Christian would argue that this list characterizes man in these last days, but sadly, these very things are tolerated in professing believers in our time. This passage and other obvious Bible verses that state these things are simply ignored by professing Christians and Christian leaders. They give lip service to the Bible, but disregard what it actually says. How often do we encounter a professing brother or sister in Christ and as we attempt to deal with them Biblically are rudely attacked from an obvious base of pride manifesting itself in arrogance? I personally find that very disquieting. Yes, it may accomplish what that person wanted in getting us to back off, but what has it done to our relationship and, even more importantly, what has it done to their own relationship with God, if one did indeed exist to begin with? 

Here is 2 Timothy 3:2 from the ESV:  For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy

Here is 2 Timothy 3:2 from the NA27 text: ἔσονται γὰρ οἱ ἄνθρωποι φίλαυτοι φιλάργυροι ἀλαζόνες ὑπερήφανοι βλάσφημοι, γονεῦσιν ἀπειθεῖς, ἀχάριστοι ἀνόσιοι

The word the ESV translates as “arrogant” is the Greek adjective ὑπερήφανοι, which is the nominative, plural of ὑπερήφανος or huperēphanos, “assuming, haughty, arrogant.” It is used to speak of one who shows himself above his fellow men, in honor preferring himself. There is not one passage in Sacred Scripture that tolerates this attitude in believers. In fact, God has this to say about it.

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. (James 4:1-10 ESV)

Carefully read this my brethren. Have you been “offended” by a fellow brother or sister in Christ? Have you been hurt by all the fighting and fruitless arguing going on lately within our ranks? The answer is not to hold on to your anger through pride, but to release it through humbling yourself before God. Submit yourselves to God, draw near to God and He will draw near to you. I promise you that His desire will be for you to be reconciled to your brother or sister in Christ. Go to them and seek forgiveness. You may say, “Yeah, but he said!” or “Yeah, but she said!” So what! Is not God able to make all things right? Get the devil out of the picture and all that stuff that seems so important will look like nothing. Get on your knees before God, confess your sins to Him, then go to your brothers and sisters and seek forgiveness. That is what is called for. The opposite is to be full of pride or to be arrogant, that is of the flesh, and that means you are controlled by the devil. I doubt if anyone reading this wants that.

Soli Deo Gloria!

41 thoughts on “Arrogance”

  6. “Have you been hurt by all the fighting and fruitless arguing going on lately within our ranks?” The only honest answer is ‘YES’. Was revenge or an “I’ll put him in his place” attitude the motivation to speak or was it an earnest “contending for the faith” mindset that sparked a responce? Perhaps those who participated in the “Turk War” came away feeling that they needed a good, long, hot shower—-me too! Jude 20-23 “Keep yourselves in the love of God…” and “pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh”. If there was one person brought to repentance was it not worth it? This was, no doubt, not the first encounter with a wolf(s) nor will it be the last for most here. To walk away without taking any of it personally is impossible on our own. If you did and have no hatred/revenge in your mind rest assured that it is the gift of God to you (just like all the rest of genuine salvation).

    To see the encouragement offered to one another from those truly contending for the faith was a great blessing!!! Colossians 3:14-17. It is a great joy to see the Lord working in His church, and an even greater joy to be allowed to participate. JUDE 3

  8. Thanks Mike. This one cut deep…and this was something that me, myself needed to hear and act upon. Your right. In MOST cases…so what? Lord help us to be able to recognize when we have a so what on our hands.

    Thank you…

  9. This is all very good.

    Except no one knows who it is directed at in this fight. So we will all be content to own lip service to it being applied to ourselves and will privately be thinking “but THAT PERSON over there needs to hear it more!”

  12. “Have you been hurt by all the fighting and fruitless arguing going on lately within our ranks?” The only honest answer is ‘YES’. Was revenge or an “I’ll put him in his place” attitude the motivation to speak or was it an earnest “contending for the faith” mindset that sparked a responce?

    What’s the answer to the second question? Can you judge for someone else? Or is there anyone willing to look at the information for its own sake and forget the messenger?

  14. Thank you Paula, all I have to say about that is this, “God is Sovereign” and then I ask, “Do you trust Him or not?”

    Of course I do. Do you?

  17. I don’t understand the point of the question. That was not the point of how I asked my question Paula. I asked my question from the point of humbling oneself and asking those with whom we have been in disagreement to forgive us for our “arguing” et cetera, not our separation doctrinally. There is no need to ask for forgiveness for that…

    By-the-way Paula, I had to learn this over time, but I know it now, people err, but that does not make them heretics. Apostates are those who deny the faith and do unChristian things, fellowshiping with unChristian religiosity, et cetera. Heresy is when someone in error is confronted by their error, but refuses to repent of it and continues in it. So, we have brethren all around us who err, does that make them heretics? No! What we do, those whom God has given the gift of teaching and discernment is to come along side and guide them back into the truth. That is not done with a sledge hammer, but is done via teaching from the Word of God in the Power of the Holy Spirit.

  18. My assessment of the information/teaching may very well be correct, but if my “delivery” of the correction is “in the flesh” and comes across as mean-spirited then what has been accomplished? I’ve put my foot in my mouth way too many times and it always seems to override the truth I was trying to convey. Don’t get me wrong here, I’m not saying we should never speak up. I’m just saying that the truth is never to be compromised, but that I try to remember to examine my thots before I open my mouth. Believe me, I’ve had the Lord shut my mouth many a time. Delivery must be Biblical and in love. “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”-Prov 15:1

  19. Marianne, I am one who is usually “quiet” in group discussions until we get into Bible/doctrinal things. Then the boldness comes in. I cannot stop it. There is no intention to hurt anyone’s feelings. I have been told that I come across as a leader not someone who is trying to bully anyone. I think this is the work of the Holy Spirit because that is so outside of my own natural persona. In any case, I have noticed that when there is someone in the group who is is obstinate in their refusal to listen that that boldness does not turn on them, but moves on. Isn’t that how God is? On the other hand, if we turn on that person ourselves trying to hammer the truth into them then its all the flesh and that DOES NOT WORK. It does not ever work. I have noticed in these discussions the obvious hurt feelings left over from past arguments and it just breaks my heart because I know that is so unnecessary. That is all from Christians acting in the flesh.

  20. @ Paula, The answer to the second question is up to each person individually. I suppose that I interpreted “hurt” to be more along the lines of “affected” rather than something that would cause a lasting scar which SEEMS to be where Mike was headed. Maybe another question could be asked: what did you learn from all of this and did it draw you closer to the Lord Jesus? I hope we can all say “much” & “yes”

  21. Yes Mike, I so agree. I was trying to get across that when I personally have tried to get the truth out in my own strength – that is when I mess it up. I have witnessed the Holy Spirit working thru bold speaking. It saddens and makes me fearful when, as you put it, the truth moves on–past the person.

  25. Maybe it’s just me, but I did not think the Turk thread was unloving. Perhaps I am comparing it to so many other blogs I’ve been on that became very mean-spirited and hateful, but I thought the Turk discussion was excellent. The vast majority of responses included pertinent Scripture and the tone was firm but simply factual and informative.

    Compare Paul: “And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.” Galatians 2:4,5

    Notice that Paul says he did not yield to the Judaizers for even an hour. I’m sure the heat in that place was pretty hot because in Galatians 5, Paul says he wished the Judaizers would emasculate themselves. Although he was speaking metaphorically and spiritually, it was clear that Paul was angry.

    And: “Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed” Galatians 2:11

    See the rest of chapter 2 and you’ll see how upset Paul was with Peter.

    Acts 15 tells us that Paul was in “much dispute” with the Jerusalem assembly.

    Contending for the faith is just that, contending. Mike can speak to this better than I can, but I believe when it says that we are to “earnestly contend” in Jude 1:3, it literally means to fight and struggle. In other words, it’s not going to be pretty.

  27. He will count himself, like Jacob, unworthy of the least
    of all God’s mercies. He will say of himself, like Job,
    “I am unworthy.” He will cry, like Paul, “I am the worst
    of sinners” He will consider others better than himself
    (Philippians 2:3).

    Pride is such a battle.

    Cristina

  29. I agree with you Carol…the contending is not always pretty.

    We are all servants of the Lord. As long as we keep that in view when we are contending, we will have done our duty.

    Luke 17:9-11 9 Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”

    And if we are servants, should we expect anything less of our leaders? If they are being exalted into positions of hierarchy where they are above reproach, then “something is wrong with this picture”.

    Matthew 23:10-12 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

    1 Corinthians 3:4-6 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?
    5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.

    See how Paul shifts the focus back on the sovereignty of God?

    There is to be equality among us. We are only his servants and the greatest among us will be servant of all. While we give our leaders respect, we must not regard them with awe.

    Mark 10:42-44 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.

    The Bible is full of contending, and cannot be done apart from emotions. If we are passionate about our faith, there will be emotions.

    But! God is love and if we turn that emotion into hatred against anyone, then we have gone beyond our duty to contend for the faith.

    A reminder to myself…keep humble. Billy Graham still doesn’t see his error. Perhaps Piper is beyond seeing his error but that is not my responsibility. Mine is to contend earnestly for the faith.

    My 2 bits…

  32. “Have you been hurt by all the fighting and fruitless arguing going on lately within our ranks? The answer is not to hold on to your anger through pride, but to release it through humbling yourself before God.”

    I agree, with two points. First extra examination of what we think is “hurt” is required in these paper thin skin days. Just because someone feels hurt does not mean their “feelings” are legitimate in a biblical sense.

    Other than the usual off topic (little) or personal opinions (some) I don’t see any of the “lately” being fruitless. Positions have to be taken, doctrine has to be upheld, everything has to be examined in the light.

    Second, RC Sproul explained in a recent talk regarding the anger stated in Ephesians 4:26-27;
    “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.”,
    that the context was not “don’t got to bed angry, but of letting the anger dissipate and pass away, not festering and being harbored.

    Of course that is only half of the hurt/forgive equation. Scripture calls us to a high standard indeed that of
    “(Eph 4:32) Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

    That is a very high standard, total love. What joy to do as our loving savior has done.

    Thanks for the post.

  33. Amen Carol, Mike, Darrel, Carolyn I felt the blog run with FT was great and very informative. I contended on a blog with Benny Hinn lover’s, by myself for almost one year, you talk about unloving. It is nice to see people being so loving and biblical sound in their comments. I was blessed by a lot of people comments.

    Lane Chaplain I have a question for you.
    I have three woman friends in my church who want to know how to buy Paul Washer sermon DVDs. We watch them on line and on your website. If you get this please reply and let me know.

    Mike, yes God is sovereign and his glory was show forth. Keep on Contending my friend. Mike, your comments are seasoned with grace and with the love of Christ. Yet, you are bold, straight forward and biblically right on.

  34. Hi Mike Ratliff,

    Honest question seeking just your subjective opinion:

    Do you think Frank Turk is arrogant?

  35. Carol: “Maybe it’s just me, but I did not think the Turk thread was unloving. Perhaps I am comparing it to so many other blogs I’ve been on that became very mean-spirited and hateful, but I thought the Turk discussion was excellent. The vast majority of responses included pertinent Scripture and the tone was firm but simply factual and informative.”

    Mike Ratliff: “I didn’t either Carol. As far as dealing with those issues with Frank Turk and discernment, I think we were right on.”

    Well, Rhology linked to your “Open Letter to Frank Turk” post in a comment on Frank Turk’s Post, but Frank Turk deleted Rhology’s comment containing the link, plus he deleted his comment about “Ingrid and the girls”. And he deleted comments criticizing his comment about “Ingrid and the girls.”

  38. Truth Unites and Divides… Is Frank arrogant? This is my subjective opinion, in my dealing with him on trying to get him to see where he has erred, he refuses to listen. That is a fruit of pride. That does not mean he is not my brother in Christ only that he is in error. According to your own comment he adjusted his own comment thread and erased his own and other comments, et cetera on his latest post. That is what someone does who is very concerned about projecting a certain persona or image. I think that is where Frank is. We have doctrinal issues that he would look at and say I am legalistic or backward and I would say he is walking too close to the edge of apostasy. He resents my attempts to correct him and refuses to listen. He accuses me of being legalistic, et cetera. I respond with scripture and he ignores it.

    Is Frank arrogant? The answer is that he is being controlled by his pride. He is not walking in humility as he should be.

    In Christ

    Mike Ratliff

  39. You’re right that pride and arrogance are something the individual needs to deal with, in submission before God.

    What makes this so hard sometimes is that in a debate/argument, there are people watching our actions on the sidelines. It’s often impossible to separate the struggling over the topic from any offenses given to each other by the participants.

    Is saying “So what?” going to make the audience think the real issue wasn’t worth contending? That could lead people astray as much as a tenacious defense tinged with the self-justification of pride.

    I don’t think any of us imperfect sinners have the wisdom to pick the perfect action. Some of us err on one side, some on the other, and that often leads to worse acrimony. Sometimes we even err by claiming the other person sinned when it wasn’t even an issue of error, but of conscience.

    Yet God’s will is done in all, and Christ’s blood covers even the sins I commit while horribly seeking to defend His truth…

  40. Jason…you said:
    I don’t think any of us imperfect sinners have the wisdom to pick the perfect action.

    That is so true. Do we have to have all our ducks in a row before we speak up?
    Must we say something that will amaze the whole world before we can join the conversation?
    Should we have a theology degree before we can judge error?

    No, that is pride. That is being intimidated by higher learning.

    Honestly, I think a knowledge of the Scriptures is far superior to the theological bright lights of the century. They are smooth talkers and delightful to the intellect, but nothing compared to the Spirit that works in us to will and to do of his good pleasure. What they say has to be filtered through the Truth of Gods Word.

    And yes, we will say the wrong thing sometimes, but we must be quick to deal with our imperfection in humility.
    James 3:2
    We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

    But the Word is so simple. It is the “teachings” that become so complicated. If we just read the Word…it is siimple enough for a child to understand.

    1 Corinthians 2:12
    What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the SPIRIT WHO IS FROM GOD, SO THAT WE MAY UNDERSTAND what God has freely given us.

    Colossians 1:9
    For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and UNDERSTANDING THAT THE SPIRIT GIVES

    1 John 5:20
    We know also that the Son of God has come and has GIVEN US UNDERSTANDING, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

  41. My “so what” situation had absolutely nothing to do with the conversation we have been having. However, this conversation made me realize there was another “so what” situation that I needed to deal with. I was slapped in the face with the reality that some things are worth taking a stand…other’s are not.

    The conversations we’ve had here, as a whole, over the last few days however, are not a “so what”. Secondary separation is a valid topic and as time goes on, we are going to see just how valid it is.

    In short, for me anyway, I can decide where I tithe…and I can tell ya, some money has been re-routed. I can also decide who’s books I buy and don’t. Who’s sermons I listen to or pass up. I’ve also learned that if I want to see what some of the folks I listen to are like in real life…just follow the tweets.

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