But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. Psalm 3:3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4 Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you. Psalm 118:25-26
The Bible speaks very directly about arrogance — God hates it, warns against it, and promises it will lead to a fall. These verses show how seriously God treats pride and arrogant behavior. Proverbs 16:18 — “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 8:13 — “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy… do I hate.” Proverbs 11:2 — “When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.” Proverbs 29:23 — “A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.” James 4:6 — “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5 — “Be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” Isaiah 2:12 — “The day of the Lord… shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty… and he shall be brought low.” Proverbs 18:12 — “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.” Scripture shows a consistent pattern: God opposes the proud — He actively resists arrogance (James 4:6). Arrogance leads to downfall — It blinds a person and brings destruction (Proverbs 16:18). Arrogance is sin — God calls it an abomination (Proverbs 16:5). Arrogant people are humbled — God brings them low (Isaiah 2:12). These truths appear repeatedly across both Old and New Testaments. Why Arrogance Is So Dangerous According to Scripture: It elevates self above God (Genesis 11:4 — Tower of Babel). It blocks grace — God gives grace only to the humble (James 4:6). It destroys relationships — “Only by pride cometh contention” (Proverbs 13:10). It leads to spiritual blindness — Nebuchadnezzar lost everything until he humbled himself (Daniel 4). The Bible’s Solution: Humility God doesn’t just condemn arrogance — He gives the remedy: Philippians 2:3 — “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Matthew 23:12 — “He that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Humility brings honor, wisdom, and God’s favor.
DON’T FRET, GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF THOSE ARROGANT PEOPLE.
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. Proverbs 21:21 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Psalm 25:4 Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin. Proverbs 13:3
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS QUICK REFRESHER ABOUT LIFE.
If you want to put God first, Scripture makes it unmistakably clear: seek His kingdom above everything, love Him with your whole being, and let every decision flow from devotion to Him. 2 Corinthians 8:5 (KJV) — “But first gave their own selves to the Lord…” God doesn’t want your schedule—He wants you. Proverbs 3:6 “In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” Mark 12:30 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Why Putting God First Matters: It aligns your life with His will. It brings clarity, peace, and direction. It protects your heart from idols. It keeps your love for God alive and central. It ensures everything else in life falls into its proper place.
IS GOD FIRST IN YOUR LIFE? ALLOW THIS QUICK REFRESHER TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE.
Joy Comes From God’s Presence. Psalm 16:11 teaches that “in Your presence is fullness of joy.” Joy flows from closeness to God, not external success or comfort. Joy Is Strength. Nehemiah declared, “the joy of the Lord is your strength.” This shows joy is not just emotion—it empowers believers to endure hardship Jesus Gives Complete Joy. Jesus said He came so that “My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” Joy is part of the life He imparts to His followers. Biblical joy is a steady, Spirit‑given gladness rooted in God’s presence, God’s promises, and God’s salvation—not in circumstances. It strengthens believers, sustains them through trials, and flows from a living relationship with Jesus Christ. The Difference Between Joy and Happiness (Biblically) Happiness comes from external circumstances. When things go well, you feel happy. When they don’t, happiness fades. Joy comes from God Himself. It flows from His presence, His Spirit, His promises, and His salvation. Happiness focuses on the moment. “I feel good right now.” Joy focuses on God’s truth. “God is good, God is with me, God is working — even if I don’t feel good right now.” Joy looks beyond the moment to the eternal. SUMMARY: Happiness is based on happenings. Joy is based on Jesus.Happiness is an emotion. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Happiness is momentary. Joy is continual. Happiness reacts to life. Joy responds to God.
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED AND RECEIVED FROM THIS QUICK REFRESHER.
1 Corinthians 16:13 Be alert. Be firm in the Christian faith. Be courageous and strong. 1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Psalm 145:13 “…The Lord is faithful in all his words, and holy in all his works.” Faith is not passive—it is something you hold, fight for, protect, and grow. God’s faithfulness empowers you to remain steadfast, even in trials. The Bible repeatedly calls believers to stay steadfast, stand firm, and refuse to let go of their faith, especially during trials. Hold fast without wavering: God is faithful, so believers are urged to cling tightly to their confession of faith (Hebrews 10:23). Fight to keep your faith strong: Faith requires intentional effort—Scripture describes it as a “good fight” and warns that abandoning faith leads to spiritual shipwreck (1 Timothy 6:12; 1:18–19). Stay grounded and unmoved: Believers must remain rooted in the gospel and not drift away from hope (Colossians 1:23). Trials strengthen faith: Hard seasons test and refine faith, producing endurance and spiritual maturity (James 1:2–3; 1 Peter 1:7). Walk by faith, not by sight: Faith means trusting God even when circumstances are unclear or difficult (2 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 11:1).
ALLOW THIS WORD FROM GOD TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE.
God promises to stay involved in the life-long process of spiritual growth. Philippians 1:6, NKJV. “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Jesus is the source of spiritual growth. Colossians 2:6-7, TLB. “And now just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust Him, too, for each day’s problems; live in vital union with Him. Let your roots grow down into Him and draw up nourishment from Him. See that you go on growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all He has done.” We should be growing more like Jesus daily. 2 Peter 1:5-8, NIV. “Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” We cannot grow without staying connected to Jesus. John 15:4-5, NKJV. “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
ALLOW THIS WORD FROM GOD TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE.
The road to Heaven is extremely small and most people will not find it even many people who call themselves Christians. Many people say they love Christ, but their actions show that they truly hate Him. Just because you go to church doesn’t mean you’re going to go to Heaven. Matthew 7:13-14 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Isaiah 35:8 And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. Luke13:23-25 Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them. Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? James 4:4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. There will be no excuses in Heaven none whatsoever. If you love the Lord you will commit to Him. You only have one chance. It’s either Paradise or torment. God is good and a good judge must punish the criminal. Whoever wants to keep their life will lose it. Stop being part of the world, deny yourself, and take up the cross daily.
Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; Luke 11:28 But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” John 10:27-30 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” Psalm 34:8 “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Trust in God brings blessing. Psalm 112:1“Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.” Reverence and obedience bring blessing.
OUR GOD TEACHES US HOW TO LIVE OUR LIFE IN A WAY THAT WILL CAUSE HIM TO WANT TO BLESS US. IT’S OUR CHOICE, MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE.
