When Did Arrogance Become a Fruit of the Spirit?

Arrogance : an attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions.

The fruits of the Spirit are listed in Galatians 5:22-23, “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” These tenants are cornerstones in the Christian faith and attitudes that should be reflected by believers on a daily basis. One famous hymn proclaims,

“And they'll know we are Christians
By our love, By our love
Yes, they'll know we are Christians
By our love.”

I am a firm believer that we can wake up every morning and ask God to join us on our journey and He will refine these “fruits” within each of us, but that won’t happen over night and they do happen by choice. If I have a problem with one of these, I am going to need to ask God for help and also proactively make these fruits stronger. We can make this choice to: let someone over on the highway, love one another, etc.; with help from the Spirit was can live fruit filled lives.

There is a second list in Galatians. This list highlights aspects of sinful nature that disqualify people from the kingdom of God. “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God,” Galatians 5:19-21

Arrogance does not make the fruits of the Spirit list; rather it can be classified under the sinful nature list. Check out these passages of scripture:

“In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.” Psalm 10:4

“To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.” Proverbs 8:13

“The arrogance of man will be brought low and the pride of men humbled; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day…” Isaiah 2:17

God “hates” arrogance. If that isn’t simple enough, there will come a day when all men will bow and “the LORD alone will be exalted.” My favorite part of Rick Warren’s book The Purpose Driven Life is the first sentence, “It’s not about you.” Too many times we got caught up worrying about if our preacher is a good speaker, weather the band or music leader is playing the right music, or if so and so is tithing enough. “It’s not about you,” it is about God.

I have been pulling my fruits lately and seeing which need water or Miracle Gro. Pull out your fruits, see what you need to work on because I am always finding things in my life that could use improvement and I bet you could to.

Just some “food” or “fruit” for thought. God Bless