Deceived by Arrogance

Obadiah 1:3

“The arrogance of your heart has deceived you.”

You always have that one person that says, “I know the way!”  or “This is the best way to do this or that.”  Normally we would listen to these people but occasionally we run across the one whose arrogance has gone to his head.  This person seems to know it all in those moments as if he or she has been placed in the seat of authority, when in actuality this person and their wisdom fall short of their boasting.

Obadiah is the smallest book in the Old Testament.  It was written early in the life of Israel as a nation.  Obadiah gets a message from the Lord concerning Edom, the foreign country that is rooted back to Esau, Jacob’s brother.  The Edomites have been warring against Israel and the Lord has had enough of it.  I am not a historical scholar but one article I read stated that Edom was never large or powerful enough to mount a full on war against Israel, rather they would team up with the neighbors and raid Israel.

Our verse comes in the beginning of the message the Lord has for the Edomites through Obadiah.  In verse 2 the Lord says that he will make them small among the nations and greatly despised.  He goes on to tell them the root cause of their disobedience, arrogance of their heart has deceived them. 

I can think of plenty of things that have deceived me over years but arrogance is one I would not think of.  Why? Because when arrogance has set it root in our hearts we tend to pass off the wisdom from the Lord. It is the understanding that we know more than we really do and act as if everyone else around us has no clue. We have all been dupped by the tricky salesmen who sold you those crappy shoes or the glamorous ad that made you buy that foreign garment that unraveled the first time you wore it come to mind, but arrogance? Being deceived means that one deliberately causes (someone) to believe something that is not true.

Arrogance overshadows the humble and contrite spirit the Lord would rather we have.  The crazy thing is that we even get deceived because of this arrogance.  I can handle this sin on my own, I will get good advice from my friends instead of a wiser person, I don’t need to go to church, and I don’t have to listen to my parents to name a few.  Today, be aware of being deceived by arrogance.  Humble yourself and walk with humility.  Don’t let your arrogance deceive you.  

Prayer: Father, I pray that we all walk with humility and have a humble and contrite spirit. I rebuke any arrogance that has set itself up against you in my life Lord in Jesus name. I cast away all the arrogance I may have and humble myself before you Lord. I pray that I would justify my actions by your Word and heed the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus name, amen.