“Do not let arrogance go to your head and despair to your heart; do not let compliments go to your head and criticisms to your heart; do not let success go to your head and failure to your heart.” (A quotable quote by Roy T. Bennett found in Goodreads)
You just read what an astute, wise person had to say about arrogance, compliments, and success. So, now let’s see what the Almighty, the All-Wise Person, the One who inspired words to be written in the scriptures; let’s see what He has to say about the same subjects. What you see below is merely a sample from the word, but ample enough to cause you to think about the topics in today’s title.
ARROGANCE:
“Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.” (I Samuel 2:3 English Standard Version)
“All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech.” (Proverbs 8:13 New Living Translation)
“Now listen to me, you that say, “Today or tomorrow we will travel to a certain city, where we will stay a year and go into business and make a lot of money.” You don’t even know what your life tomorrow will be! You are like a puff of smoke, which appears for a moment and then disappears. What you should say is this: “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.” But now you are proud, and you boast; all such boasting is wrong.” (James 4:13-16 Good News Translation)
COMPLIMENTS:
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (I Thessalonians 5:11 New International Version)
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” (Proverbs 25:11 King James Version)
“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” (Proverbs 27:2 New American Standard)
SUCCESS:
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10 Modern English Version)
“Christ gives me the strength to face anything.” (Philippians 4:13 Contemporary English Version)
“Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 Easy-to-Read Version)
It’s Saturday morning and you just spent some time in God’s word! Let me compliment you for not letting arrogance stop you from reading this meditation! Let me pat you on the back, figuratively, for your success in defeating Satan’s sure effort to keep you from reading this whole meditation! You did great! Now, take it a step further, and walk into His house tomorrow for worship service! Have a super Saturday! Be blessed!
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King