Psalm 17:10 They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.

I have a good accountability partner who helps me with one particular problem I have; arrogance.

I mean to speak boldly for the gospel and I believe I have a close personal relationship with my Lord. In that my verbal expression and my writing can be abrasive to some who do not know me well enough to see it is a matter of uncontrolled enthusiasm.

While I was looking for some biblical help from God’s word, I came across this quote. I read “enclosed in their own fat” to mean that I am pleased with myself. Perhaps that is true because there is nothing more pleasing to me than to hear from my Lord on any matter, large or small.

Looking towards other translations I found an interpretation that indicated a lack of pity towards others. This too is also true of me in those moments when my enthusiasm is unbridled. A former pastor once told me there was a reason that self-control is listed last in the fruits of the spirit. I took it to mean to resist temptation, but I now extend the meaning to also include unbridle enthusiasm.

I love to see unbridled enthusiasm in the newborn Christian. There is a freedom that often reminds me of baby goats bouncing around joyfully with no aim or purpose except to express the joy of being alive. While it is great in new Christians, a man of my age and maturity would look silly acting like that.

I honestly feel that way even now decades after my new birth. That is good and right within the confines of my relationship with my Lord but I have a responsibility to my readers to be considerate of their position and condition and not to allow myself to be seen as arrogant.