Arrogance is when someone thinks they are better than everyone else and acts like they are more important or smarter than others. It is when confidence turns into being rude or looking down on others or even mocking others.
There is one person in the Bible who lived his entire life in arrogance. He is the embodiment of arrogance, the epitome of recklessness. His name is Samson.
Samson lived during the time of Judges.
Characterized by the recurring cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance — a repeating cycle of apostasy — the time of Judges can be summarized in one verse:
“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” ~ Judges 21:25
Samson’s birth story is unlike any other.
His mother was barren. An angel of the LORD visited her with the news of her coming baby and a set of instructions, because this baby to come is to be a Nazirite for life.
Hence, there are 3 rules Samson needs to abide by: (Judges 13:3-5)
- No drinking wine; eating or drinking anything made from the vine.
- No haircut; no razor can touch his hair
- No touching any dead body
However, throughout Samson’s life, we see how he blatantly disrespected his Nazirite identity and violated every rule set before him.
As a Christian, we, too, are a Nazirite.
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his [God’s] own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” ~ 1 Peter 2:9
We are often overly confident with ourselves. We put ourselves into temptations. And we claim that we are in control. Flirting with evil & sin. Testing the boundaries. We like to see how close to the cliff we can go without falling.
Like Samson, we ignored our identity. We abused the gift that God has given us, abandoned His calling, and dishonored Him.
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Stay away from Temptation — Respect the guardrails
— the boundaries are there for a reason. Knowingly choosing to disregard the warnings, blatantly going beyond where you are told not to go is reckless and arrogant. -
No one is an exception to the rule
— No one is above the law. Signs and warnings are for everyone. The Bible addresses everyone, equally. -
There is more to this world and our lives than what we see with our naked eyes.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”
1 Peter 5:8-9
Daily choose to be a Nazirite for God; set apart HOLY for his purpose
Be empowered by the Spirit to resist and stand firm in our faith.
