You all know "that guy". The guy from high school who was just drenched in arrogance, almost to the point of it being a caricature. This guy was the epitome of perfection, in his own mind. I've made this point in the past when reflecting on life, but to me, I see life as a really good balancing act. Most of the time, as life goes on, you see the hard edges of arrogance begin to be softened as the "reality of life" sets in. The subtle ways that life deals trouble and difficulties, even to the most proud and arrogant, serve as incredible humbling agents. I'm sure if I was to encounter some people from the "old days" I would see them in a completely different light, tested by the circumstances of life and hopefully a little better, and humble, because of it. It's those that continue to live their lives exhibiting incredible pride and arrogance that trouble me the most, primarily because either life hasn't dealt them the same kind of testing moments it has the rest of us, or they just go out of their way to avoid it. Either way they are missing something. Today, while contemplating, I applied this scenario to Christianity. Did you know that there can be some rather arrogant Christians? Surprising I know. How do they get to that point of being calloused, critical, cynical, and judgmental? I think it's not unlike the person who carries over their youthful arrogance into adulthood, they simply either haven't been tested or go out of their way to avoid it. Think about it, Christianity is supposed to be an active faith that should be shared as a light into darkness, not simply the fulfilling chapter in a personal journey to God. Trials and perscecution are built-in features to Christian faith, but for some reason we do everything to avoid them, not realizing that they are vital in keeping us fresh, relevant, and humble. Isolate your faith to where it is all about you, and you will be arrogant. You will judge people. You will criticize the faith of other believers. You will hold your "efforts" for the work of the Lord above all others. You will lose your ability to identify with sinners. You will become detached from ever personally leading anyone to Christ. You will slowly begin to think that you actually do deserve grace, maybe even that you've earned it. Just some thoughts to ponder. Simple Application: Are you suffering from Christian Arrogance? Probably the simpliest test is this: Are you experiencing any level of persectution in your life? How you answer that question will reveal if you are living a Christian life void of the trials and persectutions, because of the name of Jesus, that are guaranteed to come your way. If you are living void of those trials and persecutions, you are in danger of Christian Arrogance.

I was reminded again this week of the need for the Armor of God. It's easy to forget about the reality of the spiritual battle that is taking place right in the middle of our lives, and sometimes without us even thinking about it. I think the only time we actually think about it is when we are feeling the obvious effects of some kind of spiritual warfare taking place, otherwise we live our lives like there has been some kind of peace treaty. I doubt seriously that the enemy of our souls is actively persuaded into signing a peace treaty, leaving us alone. We are in constant battle. I don't want to sound the alarm of paranoia, but some effects of the battle can be so subtle that they don't even register as attacks. Not every tactic of the enemy is catastrophic. I think the simplist and most effective devices are those that are consistent in chipping away at the foundation of our faith, which opens the door to the utlimate collapse that the enemy is surely hoping to accomplish. The admonition in Ephesians 6:13 to, "Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground," is a significant indicator that we are in a battle! The fact that we need to put on armor should be a clear indicator that we will need to use it! Simple Application: Don't wait until the obvious "attacks" of the enemy to clothe yourself with the armor of God. It is possible to guard yourself from the enemy's schemes without looking for a "devil behind every corner." Be aware and actively solidify your relationship with Christ.

What can we learn from the scribes and Pharisees that Jesus called an "evil and adulterous generation?" Jesus had been performing incredible miracles: healing lepers, raising the dead, healing the mute and blind, and casting out demons. He was doing things and saying things with unbelievable authority, an authority that the Pharisees attributed to Satan! In fact they even said, "This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons." Their judgment against Jesus was wrapped in so much hypocrisy that Jesus immediately called their bluff...answering back, "If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out?" There were those from within their ranks who made a profession out of performing exorcisms. Jesus made a strong argument that a house divided against itself will not stand, and if they had any ability to claim Jesus was using the power of darkness to defeat darkness, then they would need to seriously examine their own sons! The point Jesus was making was this: Messiah had come with all authority! These signs that Jesus was performing were fulfilling prophecy. Jesus was living Isaiah 35 and 61! The time to recognize that Messiah had come was now upon them and they couldn't see it! An often misunderstood idea in scripture is this: The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. What does it mean? It means exactly this: It is an indictment against the Pharisees for their rejection of Messiah. Jesus tells them that they will not be forgiven, yet after their indictment, they still desire signs! They say, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from You." Incredible. After they attributed Messiah's earlier signs to Satan and officially begin rejecting Him, they ask for a sign! They were wanting Jesus to perform more spectacular healings and miracles, but Jesus gives the first allusion to his death saying, "An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." There seems to be every indication that a desire for signs when the Messiah is so obviously already providing them is an expression of rejection in itself. What does a request for Jesus to constantly "prove" himself mean other than to bear witness to overwhelming doubt? Jesus' response is clear: He will meet constant desires for signs with a single act, the resurrection from the grave! The choice to accept or deny that particular sign will be the deciding factor as to whether a person experiences forgiveness or not! Simple Application: What thing are you doubting? What thing is God doing that you are asking for sign after sign after sign for Him to "confirm"? I'm by no means throwing you in the same category as the Pharisees...just some things to think about.