Walls are growth issues that hinder, stifle, or prevent change and progress. Walls keep us from strengthening and developing our important relationships and enjoying the life God would have for us. Walls are not permanent or impenetrable. The Bible teaches us wisdom, principles and how things work in His kingdom. (Psalms 112:5) and with Jesus, all things are possible: “With your help I can advance against a troop, with my God I can scale a wall” (Psalm 18:29).
“I did it my way”: Theses words are the theme song of those with an entitlement attitude. We are by our fallen nature, concerned first with our own needs. Arrogant entitlement is about getting your own needs met so you can remain “happy” at all costs, no matter whom it hurts. Greed is a bottomless pit that can never be filled. Those whom believe they are entitled to the best of life, want more and more because “they deserve it”. We pursue what we want, and when we get it, we feel that we simply got what we were entitled to have. Finally after getting all of our own needs met, if at all, are we able to take into consideration the needs of others. Arrogant entitlement is concerned only with self. Serving self only is a root of pride and failure to believe in God as the source of life. Ultimately all rebellion is sin, and sin reaps destruction: (Galatians 6:7-8).
Extreme self-centeredness: Narcissism often means egoism, vanity, conceit, or selfishness. Applied to a social group, it is sometimes used to denote elitism or an indifference to the plight of others. In psychology, the term is used to describe both normal self-love and unhealthy self-absorption due to a disturbance in the sense of self. We all have some distorted thinking. In more extreme cases as with narcissism, these self-centered behaviors may even indicate mental illness of a greater degree.
Rationalization continues the insanity: Most people know in their hearts what they should do and what they shouldn’t do. The Bible contradicts self-oriented living by telling us not to demand our own way but to live with a strong concern for others: “This is the message you heard from the beginning; We should love one another” (1John 3:11). People with a strong arrogant entitlement, need to bridge their reasoning from what they know what is right, to indulge in, and also justify in doing, that which is not right. When we rationalize our sinful nature, it makes the wrong seem acceptable so it continues.
Humility creates change: The key to overcoming arrogant entitlement is humility. A humble person does not think less of himself; he thinks of himself less. A humble person does not use everything within himself to further his own cause, but rather desires to use whatever strength or position he has to help others and meet their needs: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrong doing” (1Corinthians 13:4). Walls come down when we are humbled. We gain a new profound respect and honor for God. “You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty” (Psalm 18:27). He strengthens us with love and hope, and with our willingness and perseverance to change and grow, we become more like Christ.
Contentment is the Result: Feeling dissatisfied and always wanting more, always believing you deserve more than you have, but never quite having all you think you deserve is an empty life. Humility leads to contentment and satisfaction. Only people who are truly humble can be peaceful and joyful when they are needy. Contentment furthers a life of thankfulness rather than disappointments. God not only wants to give us the desires of our heart but, the gift of the ability to enjoy them. Contentment means we are satisfied. God takes us from not enough, to, just enough, to, more than enough: “Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life” (Proverbs 22:4).
Everyday Living: Put God first. Living by the Spirit is doing the will of God. “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:16-17, 22). When we live a life in the Spirit, it shows.
Arrogant entitlement is concerned only with self.
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