Beware the Proud Heart

(Proverbs 28:25 KJV)  He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

Arrogance is one of the sources of “strife” (4066).  It is of interest to me that this is the same word that is repeatedly translated “contentious” when referring to wives that trouble a marriage.  Some people are so full of themselves that they have only one mode and that is the demand to have their own way and everyone else is wrong.  This obviously leads to a lot of friction.  In a marriage it is deadly.  In other relationships it is divisive and destructive. 

Unlike marriage, you can often walk away from the arrogant person in every day life.  You can move to a new home, get a new job, change churches and so forth.  The reminder for us is to work at not being the “arrogant” (7342) one in a social contact.

So?  I am not sure how to tell if I am arrogant.  Like going senile, you are probably the last to know.  I would suggest taking it seriously when someone tells you to come down off your high horse.  Give it serious thought.  It could be that they are the arrogant one trying to manipulate you.  It could also be a moment of sincere rebuke that needs to be prayerfully considered.