Limelight
For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 2 Timothy 3:2 NASB
Arrogant – Aristotle invented the “Golden Mean.” But God gave him the idea. Like most things in life, extremes lead to sin. Standing on the middle ground is often the way to avoid being in the wrong place at the wrong time. “Arrogance” is one of those extremes.
The Greek word here is hyperephanoi. It describes people who think more of themselves than reality bears out. While it can be used for those who are distinguished or outstanding, as judged by others, once turned inwardly, it becomes the mark of undue self-importance. TDNT elaborates the connection with two other crucial terms.
“The three terms ‘insolent,’ ‘arrogant,’ and ‘boastful’ go together. ‘Boastful’ precedes ‘arrogant’ in 2 Tim. 3:2; the two terms describe different aspects of pride. In Mk. 7:22 ‘arrogance’ comes between ‘blasphemy’ and ‘folly.’ It contrasts with proper submission to God and involves a haughty disdain for others.”[1]
Once more we see the fundamentals of sin at work: the failure to recognize the sovereignty of God and a lack of gratitude for His benevolence. The arrogant man has no need of forgiveness because he has no consciousness of his crime. He considers himself the authority of his life. He demotes self-control to passionless existence. In his world, life is for the taking and taking is the only measure of success.
Hyperephanoi is derived from two Greek words, hyper and phaino. Hyper, of course, is the preposition of superior place. It is to be “above,” “beyond,” or “over.” Used with regard to devotion to the Lord, it describes a life of blessing. But here Paul attaches the preposition to a word that means what appears or shines. Here the word is not about the reality of God’s universe but rather about the reconstruction of God’s world in order to shine light on ourselves. Hyperephanoi is about me in the limelight. It is one more characteristic of those who wish life to revolve around them. They are glory addicts and no dosage is too much.
In the biblical world, leaders are determined by calling and following. If you want to know who leads, find the one God called. It is usually a person who does not want the job, who avoids the spotlight and prefers the bottom of the hierarchy. Ego is anathema to the true biblical leader. The real leader is the one others follow because they are drawn to righteousness on display and righteousness on display is invisible to the one who carries it.
Topical Index: arrogant, hyperephanoi, leader, 2 Timothy 3:2
[1] Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. (1985). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (1231). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.
The Benefactor
EGO. Edge God Out. The unholy exaltation of the trinity of “self,” those who are- ‘insolent,’ ‘arrogant,’ and ‘boastful.’ An unhealthy and unholy dose of narcissism, anyone?
What is the cure for this ‘celebrity-ism?’ This senseless societal scramble to be “someone.” “If we could only buy him for what he’s worth and then sell him for what he thinks he’s worth, – we could make a killin’ !”
Friend, if you want to be great in God’s kingdom.. – learn to be the servant of all. The Way Up? – is down. Humble your “self” in the sight of the LORD.. and..?? And HE will lift you up!! (James 4.10)
Which will it be? Exaltation of “self?” – or the Savior? Pride vs. Humility.
The Limelight? ~ He must increase, but “I” must decrease. ~ (John 3.30) So long self, -you gotta go. But how is this (at all) possible? ~ “I” have been crucified with Christ, nevertheless “I” live, yet not “I” but Christ!. The answer? “Not I, – Christ!!.
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom.
Who gets the glory? God. Who deserves (all) the glory? God. Why?
Because of HIm and through Him and to HIm are (what?) – “all things.”
(Romans 11.36)
~What do you have that you did not receive? ~ (1 Corinthians 4.7) And the answer is? (Absolutely ‘nuthin!’) ~ Whatever is good and perfect (EVERY good and perfect gift!) comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow ~ (James 1.17)
Remember? ~ I AM the LORD, – I change not! ~ (Malachi 3.6)
And? ~ Yeshua The Messiah; He is yesterday, today and forever! ~ (Hebrews 13.8)
Oh, but we are not left without no “boasting” or glorying? No sir, – no m’am. We may fully exult and fully glory and fully rejoice in this: ~ But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world ~
Oh friend! – (Today) – Put the LORD in the limelight!! (yes!) ~ Give unto the LORD the glory due His Name!! ~ Blessed. Blessed. Blessed IS the Name of the LORD!!! ~
~ Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus ~ (Philippians 2.5)
From a Servant’s Heart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxwjzJH-RCI
Ouch! I’ve got a long way to go!
What a word, particularly the 4th paragraph! Amein to that, in my experience it is so when “The arrogant man has no need of forgiveness because he has no consciousness of his crime”. May our conscience be alive in YHWH’s presence.
“In Mk. 7:22 ‘arrogance’ comes between ‘blasphemy’ and ‘folly.’ It contrasts with proper submission to God and involves a haughty disdain for others.”[1]” So much for ‘leadership’.
Shalom.
I love this!! Particularly because when have a passionate desire to do his will, with no hesitation, you can easily fall into this harmful characteristic with good intentions. Somehow or another we can go from grateful to feeling worthy. Meaning when we are at the beginning stages with our walk with God, we are so grateful, so teachable, so submissive and so humble. And as time goes by and we stay with the Lord, we leanr more, he empowers or entrust us with more. GOD does exactly what he said he would do, exalt the humble. This is the process where though he exalts us, we must Exalt Him. If we are not careful the time we put in, the effort the sufferings can cause us to boast as if we have grown to a place of worthiness. This blessed me and kept my feet from slipping. I thank God for this word!!!!!