Today’s Reading, 2 Chronicles 25-27
Focal Scripture: 2 Chronicles 26:16 “But when he became strong, he grew arrogant, and it led to his own destruction. He acted unfaithfully against the Lord his God by going into the Lord’s sanctuary to burn incense on the incense altar.”
There is a big difference between confidence and arrogance. It is often difficult to express into words what the difference is but when you are around it, it becomes very obvious. Confidence brings with it an attitude of hopefulness and accomplishment. It brings about a sense of belief that usually filters to everyone else. Arrogance is self focused. It becomes all about the individual and not the group. Arrogance can start off well but will always destroy any environment where a team is expected to work together.
In today’s reading we see the King of Judah become strong because of the victories the Lord gave him in battle. However, when he became strong he also became arrogant. We know this because his next step was to elevate himself above the priest. He went in to burn incense for himself even though he knew the expectations and the law. Arrogance always becomes self focused and violates the scriptural expectations.
The challenge we have as believers is to make sure we are confident in God and his ability in our lives. Not become arrogant by blessings and ministry that we make ourselves above God and his mission. One of the signs of a consistent leader is they are humble. They understand they did not get where they are by themselves. God gave them the ability and placed people around them to be successful. God prepared them to be confident in him and his resources.
On the other hand arrogant people make it all about themselves. They believe they have all the answers. Everything must be ran by them and through them because they want the credit. Arrogant leaders will praise certain people in public and criticize them privately. Arrogant leaders make themselves the focal point of life and ministry and will often say “I will do it my way.”
The lesson we need to learn from this is that arrogance will lead to destruction. It will cause pain in relationships both personal and in leadership. Good people will leave and bad people will be drawn to this environment. It sets up a false sense of success.
True biblical success doesn’t look like the world. Biblical success is not found on a stage or a book deal. It is found by serving faithfully and expecting nothing in return. Confidence in the Lord and how he works should be our desire. If you are a leader this is what you strive for in your life. If you follow a leader confront those who are arrogant and pray for the ones who are confident that they will stay in that disposition.
God takes our attitudes and hearts serious with how we lead. It is time we expect do the same.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading 2 Chronicles 28-31
