Arrogant Self-Deprecation

This is a note I previously posted on facebook.

All of us need to be wary of arrogance. It lurks behind every victory, and it grows with every compliment. Sometimes, however, it lies hidden in some of the places we least expect. Arrogance not only thrives on the peaks of our successes but also in the depths of our struggles. When we are angry and disappointed with ourselves, we are often full of arrogance and misplaced confidence.

We showcase this type of arrogance all the time. We berate ourselves for not receiving a better grade on a paper or in a class. We get frustrated when we make mistakes on the soccer pitch or on the basketball court. We chew ourselves out when we do something stupid or say something we should not have. We tell ourselves that we are better than that, and that we are failing when we do not measure up.

             This is not humility; this is arrogance. We believe ourselves to be better than we are, and when we mess up, we cannot forgive ourselves. While there are times to be truly disappointed with ourselves, we often place too high of a standard for ourselves because we are arrogant to think that we are simply that good. Whether it is academics, sports, or our social life, we can imagine ourselves to be giants when in fact we are midgets.

             This type of arrogance also spills over into our spiritual life. To many times, true Christians become depressed because they continue to fail and to sin. We believe that we are good enough Christians that have received enough sanctification that we should do better than that. Each time we sin, we yell at ourselves, claiming that we are the worst of sinners and fall into self-deprecation.

             Now self-deprecation is different from true humility or recognizing one's absolute need for a Savior. Self-deprecation emphasizes our failures and how we should do better, sometimes resulting in depression and a weak spiritual walk. True humility recognizes our failings but cries out to the Lord for help instead of constantly chastising ourselves.

             Self-deprecation is rooted in the arrogant idea that we are more than we are: fallen creatures bound to sin and to fail.  Every weakness must be thoroughly fixed through our own efforts, and each failure to do so is an inexcusable sin. When we find ourselves continually failing, we begin to become discontent and depressed. In the end, we begin asking why God even loves us or why He continues to show us favor when we fail to meet these standards. While these are legitimate questions, they are not prompted from a spirit of humility but of arrogant self-deprecation.

             What we need to realize is that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Christ does not love us any more or any less because of our successes and failures. He sacrificed Himself while we were still dead in our trespasses and sins. He looks at us as a parent looks at his children: He knows we will make mistakes and is disappointed when we do so, but He loves us anyway. If God is willing to remove our sins as far as the east is from the west, should we think berating ourselves for every failure is the best policy?

             It is only when we recognize our true position, destitute and bound to sin apart from God, that we can become truly humble. While we can be grieved even as God is grieved when we sin or fail, we can also look forward with hope and contentment to what God is molding us into. Rather than self-deprecation and depression, we should look to Christ to forgive our sins and live a life filled with hope, joy, and contentment.

             The idea that we are better than that is an arrogant lie from the pit hell. We need to recognize that we just are not that good, and we are going to make mistakes. What joy it is to know from that humble position that we have such a great God that loved us so much that He sent His Son to die for us so that in the future we do not have to make the mistakes we make now.