Many times I will see a word like this and reflect on what it means. I looked it up in the dictionary this morning.
Haughty: Having or showing arrogant superiority to and distain of those one views as unworthy.
Wow! God doesn’t just dislike haughtiness, he hates it! It says it is detestable to Him. In other words, it makes Him want to vomit! That is some pretty strong language for such a little word.
God (more so than anyone) should be the only one that would have the right to be haughty. He created us. He is holy and perfect. He is omnipotent (all powerful), Omniscient (all knowing), and omnipresent (everywhere). When you examine scripture, we don’t see arrogance at all, but a God who goes out of His way to meet us, even in our sin.
Think of it this way: God created us in His image and made us without sin (Adam and Eve.) When mankind sinned against God by disobeying Him, the first thing He did was implement a plan to send His only Son Jesus to stand in our place on the cross.
Jesus, being fully God, humbled himself to man status (Philippians 2:5-8), and came to earth to die for us. Can you imagine leaving paradise to go to the gutter and live in filth, sin and despair….only to die for those that didn’t love you? That is the exact opposite of Haughtiness. That is humility.
Here are a few thoughts:
- One of the most prominent places we see haughtiness practiced every week is in the church. When Christians look down on others with arrogant superiority and distain of those we view as unworthy, it makes God literally want to vomit. If Jesus can meet sinners where they are and hang on a cross for them, we can love those that enter our church and love them where they are; sin and all. (This includes: single mothers, tattoos, homosexuals, drunks, prostitutes, swindlers, homeless, mentally ill, etc. etc. etc.) If a church doesn’t do that, then they need to close the doors and quit calling themselves “Christ Followers”.
- This concept blows racism out of the water. If you have any animosity towards others or treat them differently because of the color of their skin, then knock it off immediately. It disgusts God. Jesus saved the Jew and the Gentile from sin. The least you can do as a Christ follower is love your brother, no matter what color they are. (Note: this includes bi-racial couples!)
- As a Christian, if you see the leadership of your church being haughty towards others, bring it to their attention. If they refuse to change then leave and find another church immediately. God will not bless a congregation of people who think they are better than others.
- Not forgiving others is not optional! Jesus says in Matthew 18:21-35 that holding a grudge and not forgiving others is inexcusable. He doesn’t say “My Father would appreciate it if you’d consider forgiving your brother!” He says do it! PERIOD! (Note: The Bible is so serious about this that it says not to take communion if you haven't forgiven your brother. In other words, Jesus is saying "I can't even be around you if you still have unforgiveness in your heart.")
- Loving those who you are unlovable and forgiving others you don’t want to forgive will always cost you! You will have to humble yourself in order to do so. If you call yourself a “Christ Follower”, then you will always pay a price. Jesus requires us to finish last (the last shall be first and the first shall be last). Keep in mind that whatever the cost is to you (humility, inconvenience, embarrassment) fails in comparison to the price Jesus paid to love you.
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