Before you read this study understand that we do not teach, we share and then ask all who read the following take it to God and verify it with Him. We believe a lot of the world is misled by the church of the world and religion vs the one true church. And to know the truth can only come from knowing, not just knowing of God, John 14:26, I John 2:27, Rev 3:19-22.
Many are called but few are chosen because many are misled by false teachers Matthew 7:13-15 so we help all who wants to know the truth how to find and know the truth of and by God and not of and by man.



Pride and Arrogance


Jerry Wilhite, author

I am writing this study based on an email I got; through the email I realized they were mocking me and making fun of me. It does not bother me they are or anybody does this. What does bother me is that they may do the same with God.

I have had my share of pride and arrogance in my life. When I first started hearing, reading, and listening to the word of God I knew I had to overcome them both.

What really got me going was when I heard that I had to be humble.

Humble is something that will in no way be allowed with pride or arrogance in the world's scheme of things, but pride in God's does work well.

I am talking about pride of God and what He is, does, what He has done, and is doing through and with us.

The definition of the actual word for pride in Hebrew and Greek is at the bottom of this study. What you will notice is that pride basically is a self-strength, strength of oneself, knowing you have that strength and boast on it.

Pride of oneself, based on God, is borderline ok. I say this is borderline, because anything of self can be a hole for Satan to enter.

If we have God in the center, we are God-centered and not self-centered; we are better off because then Satan has to get through God to us.

Pride of self, as in the world, is when we are able to do something well, realize we do it well, and then think higher of ourselves due to this ability.


I can write Bible studies in ways others cannot, but if it is of me it is no longer any different, and has nothing real to offer. When it is of God and all I am is the pen in the hand of the author, then it makes all the difference. To some this would seem that I am humble or humbling myself before God. Actually I am just admitting a fact, so it is not I being humble.

If you read the studies before I have someone else edit them, you would wonder where I get off even trying to write. You may even think I am a moron, and it is the editor, who makes me look good. But, even the editor can do nothing without God, and most of my mistakes in spelling and gramar result from laziness more than to a lack of knowledge. I admit freely I am lazy in this area and that is not what I should allow. However, like all humans I have my faults, and I have come to depend on others to correct my writing so others understand what I am saying. Another problem is that I write as I speak which can be confusing when read, so it adds even more work to the editor. I was considering changing my style to make it easier for those who bless me in editing the studies; that was, until God pointed out that it was not all laziness after all. Some of this is so those who edit have to stop, take time and read each study and by the time they are finished they have gotten seed they did not even realize was being planted.

I say this to point out a few points.

  1. Never judge; the old saying "never judge a book by its cover" is accurate, because you have no idea what is in the heart or the mind of another.
  2. It is best, if you really want to grow, to read the study over and over to give it a chance to get deep into you. Read it out loud; this way you get it two ways.
  3. Never underestimate what God is doing, and try to understand that His plan is so much deeper, meaningful, and complicated than we could ever figure out.

Now before we go on let me explain number 3. I have said in the past that the Bible, the point of the Bible and God's plan for us, is very basic and simple and we have made it complex. So, if that is true how can number 3 above be true as well? The plan may be simple, but what it takes to make the plan come to pass and work in each and every one of our lives is not always so simple. Remember, it was laziness that caused the work for the editors, but it was God that turned that into something that would bless the editors.

One of the main reasons those of Galilee never got to see the fullness of Jesus and never were blessed much by Him was due to their own pride and arrogance. Their arrogance of their knowledge of scripture - if you think about it, that is also why Israel as a nation only saw Jesus as a teacher and nothing more. Their arrogance was in assuming they knew what the Messiah would be like and how Jesus would come. Therefore, since He was not the King they expected, then He could not be the Christ. Still, the arrogance today is much the same. We have Arrogance in our knowledge of God's word. Pride in our ability, self, and in those who we know to know the word, leads us to the wrong conclusions. One being that just because someone was one way for much of their life, that God could not work through them as He has others. We think we know them, and having known them it is hard to imagine anything of God could be done through them.

Luke 4

14. And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.

15. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.

16. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

17. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,

18. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

19. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

20. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

21. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

22. And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?

23. And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.

24. And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.

25. But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;

26. But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.

27. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.

28. And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,

29. And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.

30. But he passing through the midst of them went his way,

As you have read above, those who thought they knew Jesus did not know Him at all.

It is the same with God for most people. They think they know Him but, actually they only know of Him. They will be offended by the previous sentence because they think, "Who is this to say I do not know God and only know of God?" First, I never said who it is to begin with; secondly, two points make it plain that most, who are ministry leaders, have missed it totally.


  1. All things are to be taught of/by God and not by man. And, when it says all things, it means all things and especially His word. Not by schools of man, but by the Holy Spirit.

  2. John 14

    26. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

    1 John 2

    27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.


  3. What is wise of man is foolish to God.

1 Corinthians 3

19. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

It is wise to go to school, get a degree, work hard, earn as much as possible, own a house, raise a family, retire, and then die.

If this is the wisdom of the world, and we know what is wise of man is foolish to God, then what would be the wise thing to do?

Imagine a man who started a company without an education above the 9th grade and made millions and even billions. You think this is not the norm, right? Guess what. Out of the millionaires and billionaires of the world, there are only 3 ways they did it:


  1. Inherited it - and most, not all, but most of the time, they who did make the money did not have the education you would imagine.
  2. Invented or created something others needed - and not always did they have a degree, but normally this group was the highest educated people of the 3 groups.
  3. Discovered it, oil, gold, etc. - most of which were not educated all.

In the group of invented or created that also refers to those who may have gotten their wealth from stocks, investments, etc.

I know that a man who spends the same amount of time with God as the time needed for a PHD will achieve even more than any of the above 3 groups.

You belong to one of two groups: 1. "God said it, and that is all there is to be said." Or 2. " The word is not actual, it is an illustration, not to be taken literally".

If you are of the second, why are you even reading anything at godsgifttoyou.com? Everything here talks of it in the aspect of the first group.

If you are of the first group, then you know that what I am saying is not a bunch of words without meaning, but the truth. That is, unless you are not honest with yourself.

Philippians 4

13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

19. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

By the way, you know what really cracks me up is that when I do (occasionally) perform spell check on a study, the software has more problems with scripture than it does with my part of the study. It finds more words not used correctly or not as they should be and a lot more fragmented areas.

What is probably the most frustrating for those who edit my work is when I misuse words like "there" and "their" or "accept" and "except". "There" and "their" are no real big deal, but, "accept" and "except" are; and that bothers me because it could confuse someone.

So, if you read any of the studies and catch the above reference mistake please email me and let me know the study or web address it is in.

I guess if you really want to be honest, we all are arrogant to one degree or another at one point in our life. The best thing is to know when we are and get rid of it. If you ever catch yourself thinking too highly of yourself, just remember Jesus on the cross, and what He did for you. No one can ever lower himself/herself or humble themselves as far as He had to just to come from above to here in this life, not to mention what He did in His life.

People have spoken to me and emailed me in such ways that I knew they were making fun of me and laughing at me. Some, due to what I say or how I say it, but all due to ignorance - Ignorance of whom they are actually making fun; they think it is I, but it is actually God they are making fun of or laughing at. No, He will not strike them dead; at least He will forgive them.

Luke 23

34. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

The next time you think someone you have met or know is funny or joke about their knowledge, remember Who you may actually be making fun of. That person can be someone down the road of whom you will regret your words, or even thoughts. God remembers everything you say until you ask for forgiveness, and you are judged by every word that comes from your mouth.

There are some, even today, who know God and are allowing their thoughts to deceive them to the point of falling away.

Romans 1

21. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

2 Corinthians 10

1. Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

2. But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

3. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

4. (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Being humble to and of God is knowing who and what you are in God. Until you really know who and what you are in God, you cannot truly be humble.

Arrogance is knowledge without wisdom, God's wisdom. Pride based in the world is self-centered, instead of God centered. Both will lead you to the wrong path no matter how strong you think you are, or how well you are on the right path now.

So, if you have comitted yourself to God, then do not think that another person cannot be used by God, regardless of their education or background. Thinking they cannot be used by God is a vain imagination and should be cast down.

If someone knew my educational background, they would be as shocked at my gramar, as I have been shocked in the past at how hard math seems for some.

Here are some examples where pride is ok;

Take pride in what you do, or take pride in God.

Pride in one's country is borderline, but pride in country above pride in God is wrong.

Some even think it is God bless America, but actually it should be America bless God. What I mean is: we need God back in the country, and until America does more or at least what they say, God cannot bless America...Not when America is kicking Him out of it like an illegal alien.

I believe most of those, who do this, have the pride and arrogance I spoke of above.

All it takes is one small step to start on the wrong path, and I am almost sure that most who end up on the wrong path do not realize it, and when they do it is way to late for them.

So, protect your steps, the words of your mouth by casting down all thoughts that do not line up with God first.

Strong's Ref. # 1347

Romanized ga'own

Pronounced gaw-ohn'

from HSN1342; the same as HSN1346:

KJV--arrogancy, excellency(-lent), majesty, pomp, pride, proud, swelling.

Strong's Ref. # 1466

Romanized gevah

Pronounced gay-vaw'

the same as HSN1465; exaltation; (figuratively) arrogance:

KJV--lifting up, pride.

Strong's Ref. # 2087

Romanized zadown

Pronounced zaw-done'

from HSN2102; arrogance:

KJV--presumptuously, pride, proud (man).

Strong's Ref. # 5243

Romanized huperephania

Pronounced hoop-er-ay-fan-ee'-ah

from GSN5244; haughtiness:

KJV--pride.

Strong's Ref. # 212

Romanized alazoneia

Pronounced al-ad-zon-i'-a

from GSN0213; braggadocio, i.e. (by implication) self-confidence:

KJV--boasting, pride.

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2-26-04 H.O.M.E.