How arrogant of us to think that we don't need time alone with God in His Word. I recently heard a preacher speak this truth.
"Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off." -Psalm 138:6
Arrogant is defined (Webster's Dictionary 1828): 1. Assuming; making or having the disposition to make exorbitant claims of rank or estimation; giving one's self an undue degree of importance; haughty; conceited; applied to persons. 2. Containing arrogance; marked with arrogance; proceeding from undue claims of self importance; applied to things; as arrogant pretensions or behavior.
I would not choose to be characterized as an arrogant person. Would you? I would rather be characterized as attractive. Wouldn't you? I may not think I am arrogant, and others may not think that I am for various reasons. What matters, though, is how God characterizes me. He sees my heart. He sees if I really consult with Him. He knows if I am seeking His counsel for my daily decisions. I cannot hide from Him. He knows if I am diligently searching His Word. He knows if I listen to Him. He knows if I obey what He tells me to do.
The opposite adjectives of arrogant include humble and meek.
Humble is defined (Webster's Dictionary 1828): 1. Low; opposed to high or lofty. 2. Low; opposed to lofty or great; mean; not magnificent; as a humble cottage. 3. Lowly; modest; meek; submissive; opposed to proud,haughty, arrogant or assuming. In an evangelical sense, having a low opinion of one's self, and a deep sense of unworthiness in the sight of God. "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble." -James 4.
Meek is defined (Webster's Dictionary 1828): 1. Mild of temper; soft; gentle; not easily provoked or irritated; yielding; given to forbearance under injuries. 2. Appropriately humble, in an evangelical sense; submissive to the divine will; not proud, self-sufficient or refractory; not peevish and apt to complain of divine dispensations. Christ says, "Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest to your souls." – Matthew 11. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." – Matthew 5.
When I can go without meeting privately with God, I am living arrogantly. When I am arrogant, I cannot be attractive to God and usually, not to others. When I humble myself before God and realize my dire need of His help every moment, I can be attractive through meekness, possible through the power of the Holy Spirit in my life. Everyday, we need to see what God is speaking to us through His Word into our hearts. Jesus set the example for us to go away to pray. I want to be attractive in God's sight, not arrogant. Colossians 3:12 says "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering…" Psalm 90:16 " And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us…"
Attractive is defined (Webster's Dictionary 1828): 1. Having the quality of attracting; drawing to; as the attractive force of bodies. 2. Drawing to by moral influence; alluring; inviting; engaging; as the attractive graces.
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