Simple Question

[Introverted1293]

What is the difference between arrogance and confidence?

 

[Tanj]

The latter is warranted, the former is not.

 

[Humble me Lord]

That probably depends on who is applying one of those labels.

 

[ewq1938]

What is the difference between arrogance and confidence?

confidence - positive self esteem. Believes in themselves and their abilities.
arrogance - negative self esteem. Expects everyone else to believe in them and their abilities.

 

[JAM2b]

I think confident people are aware of their strengths and have a have a healthy sense of self-worth. Confidence is feeling secure within your abilities and who you are as a person. Arrogant people feel they are better than others, whether they have strengths or not. They have an over inflated sense of who they are and what they are capable of.

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

What is the difference between arrogance and confidence?

If the confidence is in one's own abilities then that is humanistic. From the Christian perspective, the confidence that we have is in the promises in God's Word for us. Therefore if we have confidence our confidence is in the Lord and not in ourselves. Arrogance is the belief that we are better than others. It is at the root of the "holier than thou" attitude. This is also humanistic. Self confidence and self improvement are New Age concepts and are also part of modernist theology that denies that man is created in the image of God, and that all the answers are in man himself. This comes from the belief that man is just a bag of chemicals that came about through time and chance. The tragedy is that this type of theology is invading the evangelical churches more and more. In some churches, especially the charismatic ones, more emphasis is placed on existential spiritual "experiences" than a solid faith in the written Word of God. Some put the experience of "the Spirit" above the authority of the written Word. This all comes from the philosophy that says that what gives meaning to life is the great "experience". But this is just a blind leap of faith to solve the conflict that exists because of the pessimism of man being just a machine in their theology, and the reality that man is a personal, alive being. So these modernists have to take a blind leap of faith and believe that there is meaning in life and they take on a religious caricature of God who must be good and loving and will eventually save everyone. This is because in modern theology, good and evil are made equal, or synthesised. It all depends on the particular moral ideals of each individual. So this is why the modernist has confidence in himself, and in the blind leap of faith that attempts to give meaning and purpose in his life.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

What is the difference between arrogance and confidence?

As written in Scripture, we may have true and good and right confidence ("God-confidence") in Christ, a gift and blessing from our Father in heaven.

Arrogance comes from the enemy of Christ, from our enemy who seeks to destroy us, the devil.

 

[Job3315]

What is the difference between arrogance and confidence?

Arrogance comes from you being your own idol/god; false identity.
Confidence comes from you relying on what God says you are; Your identity in Him.

 

[paul1149]

What is the difference between arrogance and confidence?

It's an interesting question, and closely tied to the difference between healthy and unhealthy pride. Pride gets a bad rap, and to a large extent deservedly so, but a NT study on "pride|proud|boast" yields many instances of the words being used in a very positive sense. Paul often is proud of his congregation's faithfulness; they are his boast in Christ.

When we raise children, it's important to express our pride in them when they do the right thing. This translates into the encouragement we all need. Otherwise we can develop a negative self-image that, while having the appearance of humility, has nothing to do with godliness, but actually is an impediment to it, because it places the focus on us rather than God and prevents us from being fruitful for Him.

Confidence, therefore, is clean and positive. It ultimately reflects back on God and His opinion of Creation: "It is very good". Arrogance is the flip side of false humility. It is based on the malignant form of pride which separates us from God. The two can appear similar at first, and it may take discernment over time to tell the difference.

 

[jayem]

What is the difference between arrogance and confidence?

Good points have been made by all.

But it's also like what a SC justice said about pornography...you know it when you see it.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Good points have been made by all.

But it's also like what a SC justice said about pornography...you know it when you see it.

But most people don't know it, nor acknowledge the harm of anything truthfully.

 

[Introverted1293]

Thank you for your responses. I don't have confidence, but I certainly am arrogant, and I want to change.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

Arrogance is confidence with the head tipped back.

 

[Nithavela]

Confidence is foccused on oneself and the task at hand. One rests in himself assured that s/he is equal to the challenge placed in front of him.

Arrogance is focused on other people. One believes himself to be better than others.

 

[stevenfrancis]

Confidence is a grace (gift), and arrogance is a prideful affectation, and therefore sinful