Of Ignorance and Arrogance

 

 

If we were true to ourselves

We would readily confess our ignorance

But alas, that would be too deflating

Since we are so full of arrogance.

 

Ignorance and arrogance

From all appearances walk hand-in-hand

Where ignorance is the default

And arrogance the product plan.

 

The outcome is precious little

But a litany of woes and failures,

The only success there being

The square peg in a round hole picture.

 

Ignorance we can understand

Everybody is to some extent

But what gives us all the creeps

Is ignorance with an arrogant bent.

 

We are all particularly familiar

With the term “wrong and strong”,

How oft have we had to use it?

Almost daily as we walk along.

 

It is rife among politicians

Especially them that have lost their way

But it is also prevalent in the church,

We see it each and every day.

 

 

Said the sparrow to the dove

Let me teach you to build a nest,

Said the dove to the sparrow

At that I am truly the best.

 

To this day the dove is nest-less

Unlike the sparrow of course,

Ignorance was the dove’s hallmark

And its arrogance made it worse.

 

It’s “not knowing that you know not”

But believing that you do

And making those that probably know

Believe that you know too.

  

Arrogance is a pseudo confidence

Or confidence in appearance,

It is the dangerous kind of ignorance

On account of its unsuspecting pretense.

 

It has toppled many a Government

And has caused many a defeat

Often to a less capable opponent

Whom the proponent did regularly beat.

 

 

Arrogance is over confidence

The battle is as good as done,

One’s ignorance of his opponent

Makes him feel the battle is already won.

 

Goliath, will you stop and answer?

Your name has just been called,

You under estimated a shepherd boy

And you experienced a horrific fall.

 

How often we are guilty of this!

Ignorant and arrogant too,

No need for another’s counsel

Considering we have a watertight view.

 

King Saul in the Bible comes to mind

He was ignorant and arrogant too

Consistently ignoring Samuel’s instruction

While blinded by his uninformed view.

 

 

Solomon is an example of the opposite

His ignorance he readily confessed,

He yearned for wisdom and understanding

And God graciously granted his request.

 

The LORD is the source of true wisdom

And as such arrogance has no part,

Ignorance is progressively deleted

Which promotes an understanding heart.

 

Let us then be true to ourselves

And readily confess our ignorance,

Trust Almighty God to lead the way

And do away with our silly arrogance.

 

Stewart Russell © May 2018