“For three things the earth is perturbed, yes for four it cannot bear up: for a servant when he reigns, a fool when he is filled with food, a hateful woman when she is married, and a maidservant who succeeds her mistress” (Proverbs 30:21-23).
«What have we here!» said the jail master.
«We are Christian preachers,» answered Silas.
«Of course, I know who you are! You pair of scaremongers, swindlers and backbiters! You’ll get what you deserve here!»
«But we haven’t done any wrong,» assured Paul.
«You have no idea who you’ve messed with, you worm!» said the jail master while he placed his finger on the apostle’s nose. «Get moving! You’re going to the stickiest dungeon!»
And he continued to insult the apostles, whose bodies were still bleeding from the lashes they’d received. They were only able to hear the door banging and the arrogant guard’s shouts dying off. However, the preachers sang with great hope at midnight. Suddenly, there was an earthquake that made the dungeon doors open and the prisoner’s chains fall off. The guard realized he was at their mercy and tried to end his life. Then, Paul and Silas asked him not to do it because everyone was there. At that moment the jailer realized that those prisoners had something far above his arrogance and asked, «Sirs, what must I do to be saved?» The answer could be none other than, «Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household» (Acts 16:30-31).
Arrogance is linked with being afraid that others will discover our own fears and limitations. Arrogant people try to show exaggerated power to hide their fears by projecting them on others, whom they try to dominate. They are also unable to self-criticize due to their marked immaturity. They rather display an unhealthy need to be above everyone else. That condition makes them have racist, misogynistic and dictatorial attitudes. What’s interesting is that many times some of these people consider arrogance to be a sign of self-assurance and confidence.
Not admitting our mistakes is going against ourselves. That’s why an «earthquake» happens, our fears arise and what we really are, which was hidden under the cloak of arrogance, comes up. Paul and Silas showed the jailer the secret of assurance and personal maturity, «Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be
Ask the Lord to help you be a person who’s sure of themselves and loyal to His Word.