The Bible is clear on prideful behaviors. God opposes the proud. Anytime we act arrogantly or boastful, it falls under this category. When we boast of anything other than what God has done for us, it’s opposed by God. Any time you see or hear a person boasting or acting out in arrogance it is the same category as if they stepped upon God’s throne. There is no difference in “playing God” between promoting sinful behaviors with boasting about things we really have no control over. Ben-Hadad was boasting about completely destroying Samaria, Israel’s split northern kingdom. Even though their king, Ahab, was despised by God, God punished Ben-Hadad for his arrogant boastfulness. To think a rebellious, evil, disobedient king, was set aside (temporarily), in order for God to punish a pagan king for his arrogance, speaks volumes. When an evil, disobedient king tells us to not be arrogant, we should listen. No one, especially believers, can ever be arrogant and be seen as justified. God tells us in Jeremiah chapter 9, if we are going to boast, then boast about God’s qualities: His goodness, His unfailing love, His Justice, and His righteousness (Jer. 9:23-24). In these things, God takes delight. We were never meant to sit on God’s throne; we aren’t qualified. Boastful and arrogant behavior does just that. Be honest with yourself, remind yourself, your bottom won’t comfortably fit in the seat designed only for God, Himself. So stop trying.
11 The king of Israel sent back this answer: “A warrior putting on his sword for battle should not boast like a warrior who has already won.”
1 Kings 20:11
An Ordinary Man's Pursuit of the Extraordinary God of the Bible. These are daily insights from reading the Bible from cover to cover yearly. It is intended to point others to the Truth, and inspire people to pursue the God of the Bible individually.
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