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Does Arrogance Really Work? By Robert Berendt The lowly house cat has what appears to be an arrogant demeanor. It seems to get what it wants from its unsuspecting owners. What lesson can Christians learn from the relationship between a cat and its owner?
hile reading the morning paper and enjoying a cup of coffee, Chester, my cat, decided it was time to be petted. He leaped up onto the counter, sat right in the middle of the paper and looked me in the eye as if to say "stroke me." And of course, I did just that. Still, I got no respect, not even an expression of thanks. Most would agree that the house cat exudes an independence that borders on arrogance. A friend of mine who owns two cats told me that "dogs have owners, cats have staff." Just ask any cat lover, and he or she will ditto this observation. It's remarkable to watch how completely a cat can control its "staff." A cat demands certain feeding hours, specific foods and even a temperature-controlled environment. Only on rare occasions, does this produce a small token of acknowledgement from the feline dictator. Arrogance opposite of godliness There is, however, no reason for arrogance for a servant of God. In fact, it is the opposite of the way of true godliness. Arrogance is the assumption of self-importance. In other words, it is the mind-set that the universe revolves around the self. It often intimidates others and destroys relationships.
More excellent way of life The Creator God has revealed a way of life for humans to follow which will prepare them to one day inherit all He has created (Romans 8:16-17). This way of life decries a greedy, demanding, self-serving lifestyle. Instead, it is a way of service and love for others. Paul expresses this as the "more excellent way" in 1 Corinthians 12:31 and clarifies it in the following chapter. Here we read about the opposite of arrogance. This way of life produces people who are kind, longsuffering, patient, humble, not seeking their own and full of hope (1 Corinthians 13:1-8).
Don't be arrogant like the lowly house cat. Walk humbly before God because an arrogant attitude cannot exist in the mind of one of God's "staff." Copyright 2003 by United Church of God, an International Association All rights reserved. |
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Keywords: arrogance pride humility
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