Behaving Stupidly

Satan had it.¹ Israel had it.²  Uzziah had it. ³  Peter warned against it. ⁴ 

Arrogance and pride.  So easy to see in others.  So difficult to see in myself: pride in one’s self ⁵  It seems to be one of those sins “that goes before you…” announcing itself to others (before you even arrive!).  But the arrogant and proud are blind to it.

When we are new at something, it is easy to get a fat head and…

• behave stupidly
• become conceited
• fall into arrogance and pride

1 Timothy 3:6   Amplified Bible (AMP)
…and He must not be a new convert,
so that he will not
[behave stupidly and]
become conceited
[by appointment to this high office]
and fall into the [same] condemnation
incurred by the devil
[for his arrogance and pride].

Have you fallen for this trap, and begun to behave stupidly?  We all can.  Satan did.  There will always be someone less capable, less of an intellect… than you. Any position or job you hold — can lead to arrogance and pride.

The example of Christ leads to rational self evaluation.  Being “in Christ” we work with Him to become more and more like Him, less and less stuck on our self, more and more looking out for the interests of others.

Philippians 2:6  Amplified Bible (AMP)
⁶ who, although He existed in the form and unchanging essence of God [as One with Him, possessing the fullness of all the divine attributes—the entire nature of deity], did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped or asserted [as if He did not already possess it, or was afraid of losing it]

FOR MORE:

Ephesians 2:1-10. Made Alive in Christ: A study in Ephesians 2 – Made Alive in Christ

References: the interests of others

Who are you in Christ?

Being faithful, little by little

1. Isaiah 14:12-15^.
2. 1 Chronicles 21:7  Now God was displeased with this act [of arrogance and pride], and He struck Israel.
3.   2 Chronicles 26:16  But when Uzziah became strong, he became so proud [of himself and his accomplishments] that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful and sinned against the Lord his God^.
4. 1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time^.

5. • a person’s own self.

     “it is difficult to wrest oneself away”
   • 2.

     used to emphasize that one does something individually or unaided.

     “the idea of publishing a book oneself”
   • 3.

     in one’s normal and individual state of body or mind; not influenced by others.

     “freedom to be oneself”  –Google definition

   ^.

6. verb: rail; 3rd person present: rails; past tense: railed; past participle: railed; gerund or present participle: railing