PRIDE AND ARROGANT
Starting from the disdainful attitude, unreasonable self-esteem and inordinate self-satisfaction of one’s superiority, wealth, beauty, talent, and position among others are referred to as pride. The doctrine of men had led many people to arrogance and self-importance but the scripture made it clear that Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18 KJV) also God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble (James 4:6 KJV). Pride and arrogance have made many people lonely, as well as ashamed. Do not be puffed up with pride, it leads to vanity.
SUPERIORITY
When will you stop seeing yourself as more superior to others, you don’t have to look down on others nor feel like without you nothing can be done. Looking at the mirror, what do you see? Looking at others, what do you see? You are going against the will of God when you see others as trash compared to yourself or seeing yourself better than your spouse. Even if you are good and you need to be praised, let the mouth of another or a stranger do that and not your own mouth and lips (Proverb 27; 2 KJV). Please keep a humble attitude for you to be elevated.
SELFISHNESS
If Jesus had been selfish, He wouldn’t have died for us, not to talk of sending the Holy Spirit to assist us with His absence on earth. The reason why many of us suffer adversities is that we live in a world that functions on selfish philosophy and believes in the teachings of the devil. When we serve only because we want to live forever in heaven, it could be a service with a selfish motive. A selfish being cannot show love, do not build your service around selfish pursuit by serving only because we want to live forever in heaven.
If we dominate our thoughts with things about ourselves, eat alone, dine alone, it will not let us live to help, value and give regards to others irrespective of their status. The scripture says “but if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”
Lack of empathy
To the uncompassionate being and those who lack empathy for another, the book of Peter 3:8 says; finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.
Jesus knew what it was like to lose the only son as a widow; he read the woman’s emotions and doesn’t have a choice than to restore her son back to life. Sympathize with the bereaved, share the feelings of your brethren when they are in happy and unhappy, console those who are in distress and strengthen the weak; be compassionate to those who asked you for mercy.
Excess love for oneself
It is not bad to love oneself (loving your God-given gifts, skills etc) but excess love for all these things beyond a limit and pleasing the flesh is the major problem. Jesus aptly pointed out in the book of John. 13: 34 that a new commandment He has given unto us, that we love one another; as He has loved you, that we also love one another. Do unto your neighbours, the same way you pity, treat, pray, honour, value and love yourself.
Can they be referred to as sin?
Excess love for oneself leads to selfishness, self-centeredness, and self-exaltation which are equivalent to pride and arrogant. All these attitudes, God hates. The devil was flushed out of heaven just because of his pride while the glories of the daughters of Zion were taken away because of their arrogance. Likewise, the Pharisee saw himself much better than the tax collector (looking down on him, thinking he is more superior in the place of righteousness whereas he is not God, who can determine the level of righteousness). Finally, one sin begets another unless the chain is broken through repentance. Narcissistic symptoms, among other bad traits, hinder people from obeying God. As a child of God, do not keep quiet, be a talk therapist today and save a soul.
Other Related Scriptures
When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
(Proverbs 11:2 KJV)
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. (Proverbs 13 KJV)
For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. (Galatians, 6:3 KJV)
Finally, all of, you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. (1 Peter 3:8)
Written by Omolola Funmilayo Ilesanmi