Welcome to “Athlos” a weekly Wednesday blog which replaces my previous Tuesday posts. These blogs will continue to examine pillars of personal excellence and will regularly bring together the worlds of spirituality and sport.
Arrogance is detestable
“Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord”-Proverbs 16:5
Arrogance is destructive
Outspoken Jamaican cricket legend Michael Holding could not be more direct. I guess we could say he was not (H)olding back! He accused England’s cricket administrators of showing what he called “Western arrogance” as they made a recent decision to withdraw from playing a series in Pakistan.
From an English perspective, they likely believed that they were acting with wisdom. Not that long ago, another cricket team, New Zealand, also pulled out of a tour in Pakistan, citing credible security threats. From my readings, the nature of those threats has not been placed in the public domain in much detail.
Holding didn’t buy it. He said that if the cricket tour were in a rich country, England would have stayed the course. His view was that the Pakistan team was simply not respected.
Arrogance and pride look down on others. I am just a human so I cannot speak to the hearts and motives of the decision-makers in England. But what I can do is examine my own heart. Do I have a condescending spirit? Am I still in the comparison game, seeking to justify myself by viewing others as lower than me? It would be naïve of me to think that I’m immune to conceit and arrogance.
The Proverb above reminds us that the God of the universe detests arrogance. That pathway is self-centred and disconnected with the needs of others. In sport and in life, it is destructive. Keep the eyes of your heart open so that you can see whether pride’s ugly head is attempting to sneak through the back door.
Arrogance can be defeated
You may not always know what humility looks like but pursue it anyway. It is the best antidote to arrogance.
If you were inspired by this blog, please consider sharing it with one other person today. To learn more about these and other related themes that promote the cultivation of an integrated inner self, read UNBEATABLE! which is now available on Amazon in print and as an e-book.
This Post Has 4 Comments
I appreciate your offering on this subject. The temptation to look down on others who are different is a regular struggle that can only be defeated with a sober view of oneself and others through the eyes of our creator. Every human being no matter his/her social, economic, or racial status ( or even religious beliefs) is of great worth in the eyes of God. Until we first accept God and his truth, we will continue to struggle with arrogance.
Thanks for that contribution Almando. I agree with you that humility begins with a reverent fear of God and an understanding that every human being has value in his eyes.
Good stuff champ, I look forward to more
Thank you, James.