The word for this week is "haughty". We find it in these verses in the New Testament:
Luke 1:51 He has shown strength and made might with His arm; He has scattered the proud and haughty in and by the imagination and purpose and designs of their hearts. AMP
Rom 1:28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. ESV
2 Tim 3:1 But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; 5 holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power therefore. From these also turn away. ASV
James 4:6 But He gives us more and more grace (power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully). That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it). AMP
These are all the Greek word "huperephanos". Strong's Concordance says: to show oneself above others, is always used in the NT in the evil sense of 'arrogant, disdainful, haughty', also rendered proud. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: with an overweening estimate of one's means and merits, despising others or even treating them with contempt. The Theological Dictionary says: insolent, arrogant and boastful. It seems as though most of these are referring to the character of people without God during the 'last days', the time just before JESUS returns for the church. We see so much evidence of this in almost every realm of life these days! It seems especially evident on social media sites. I believe that the very best way to avoid ever coming off as haughty is to continually remember that everything good in our lives comes from God! We simply add diligence to the Wisdom, knowledge, understanding, gifts and talents, abilities, favor and godly connections that He has provided. When we maintain a thankful and grateful attitude, the thought of looking down on someone never enters in! Also, realizing that HE sees every person as precious and valuable helps, too! And love never fails, so we will continue to walk in His blessing! Here is Hillsong with an older song called "One Way":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
