Superiority

A sense of being of greater importance or value in comparison with others, which can lead to arrogance and boasting.

Superiority is a characteristic of the wicked person

It is the product of human pride

Proverbs 21:24; 3 John 1:9 See also 2 Chronicles 26:16; Psalm 73:3–9; Isaiah 3:16, Isaiah 9:9–10; Romans 1:30; 2 Timothy 3:4; 2 Peter 2:10

Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man — of him who acts with excessive pride.

I have written to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction.

It involves looking down on others

1 Samuel 17:42; Luke 18:9–14 See also Genesis 16:4–5; 1 Samuel 10:27; 2 Samuel 6:16 parallel 1 Chronicles 15:29; Psalm 31:18, Psalm 101:5, Psalm 123:3–4; Proverbs 15:20, Proverbs 23:22; Amos 5:10

When the Philistine looked and saw David, he despised him because he was just a boy, ruddy and handsome.

To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men — swindlers, evildoers, adulterers — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

It gives rise to boasting

Esther 5:11; Acts 8:9 See also 1 Kings 20:11; Isaiah 16:6; Ezekiel 28:2; Daniel 7:8; Hosea 12:8; Matthew 26:33–35; James 3:5; Jude 1:16

Haman recounted to them his glorious wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored and promoted him over the other officials and servants.

Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great,

God hates superior behaviour and will judge it

Isaiah 2:11–12; 1 Peter 5:5 See also 1 Samuel 2:3; 2 Samuel 22:28; Job 20:6–7; Proverbs 3:11, Proverbs 16:5, Proverbs 16:18, Proverbs 21:4; Isaiah 2:17, Isaiah 10:12, Isaiah 13:11, Isaiah 13:19, Isaiah 23:9; Jeremiah 9:23–24; Obadiah 1:12–13; Matthew 18:10; Romans 11:17–18, Romans 14:3, Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 1:20–25; 1 Timothy 3:6, 1 Timothy 6:17; Revelation 18:7–8

The proud look of man will be humbled, and the loftiness of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted— it will be humbled—

Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

The attitude of the godly is not superior

They demonstrate a proper humility

Psalm 131:1; Philippians 2:3 See also Romans 12:16; 1 Corinthians 4:6–7; Philippians 2:4–8

A song of ascents. Of David. My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty. I do not aspire to great things or matters too lofty for me.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.

Jesus Christ's advice to those who aspire to greatness

Matthew 20:20–28 parallel Mark 10:35–45 See also John 13:12–17