The Sin of Hubris

HUBRIS [ hyoo-bris ] - excessive pride or self-confidence; arrogance.  

An ugly problem I see too much of lately with ministers & community leaders is hubris. It often comes when we attain a certain level of learning that can cause us to see ourselves in a haughty way. We become scholars so much so in our own mind that we become unteachable poor listeners who will only receive from those we feel are on whatever level we think we're on. I see it in the secular world, but most often in religion.

HAUGHTY [ haw-tee ] - disdainfully proud; snobbish; scornfully arrogant; supercilious. 

ROMANS 12:3; "For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned." 

The flip side is a novice whose zeal makes them arrogant & disrespectful to where they can't take correction from more learned or experienced people, because they think they know more than they really do. I've lived long enough now to see that both sides are anti-Christ, and don't reflect the humility of Christ but show the ungodly pride of Satan. Hubris breeds self-righteousness that leads to comparing one's self to others to justify ourselves. 

2nd CORINTHIANS 10:12; "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." 

Hubris causes us to confuse clear articulation with good communication, because we fail to understand listening as the most important part of communication. Once we are convinced of our perspective to an obstinately dogmatic level we feel no one can correct us unless we deem them worthy. If we feel they're unworthy then we wrongly write them off as heretics, stupid, or crazy to justify ourselves in our smug disposition contrary to GOD. 

ISAIAH 65:5; "Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day."

Humility is still the LORD's way, and it requires honest self examination to follow it. If you can't do it then you're just lying to yourself and before the LORD. ~ I.J. West 

2nd CORINTHIANS 13:5; "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!"