Arrogance is defined in the dictionary as the act or quality of having unwanted pride and self importance; haughtiness. In other words, giving oneself an undue degree of importance, or at least acting like it. It's related to hypocrisy (one who feigns to be what he is not), if your perspective of the arrogant person is different than their view of themselves. Most arrogant people are either unsure of themselves, so they act arrogant, or truly have a self-image that they are better than other people. Either has a chilling effect on relationships and should be a cause for self-reflection. Relationship is a fancy word for how we are connected to others.
Relationships you have with others normally fall into casual or committed classifications. Either can be positive or negative, but the length of time you are in that relationship is affected by your level of arrogance. The opposing viewpoint of arrogance is humility (the absence of pride or self-assertion). Humble people are perceived as meek and submissive. In today's American culture the "successful" are worshiped and adored by the masses (their casual relationships), but in almost every case their committed relationships (personal life) are miserable. Self-promotion is another way of describing arrogance and it is taught and expected as a healthy lifestyle. Humility is not valued.
Spiritual arrogance is a huge issue. History records most wars have been based on religious beliefs, and today's war on terrorism is against Muslim extremists who are focused on expanding the legalistic "spiritual" view of their religion. Christianity is even more diverse with those claiming to follow Christ killing doctors who perform abortion, to those who claim to follow him but don't believe any of the records of his words. Denominations have sprung up in recent decades and centuries to extend their exclusionary agendas based on theology or even politics. As bad as personal arrogance or haughtiness is, group arrogance is even worse.
At it's root, arrogance is a celebration of self. I'm right, or we're right, or my effort resulted in success (or our teamwork resulted in success). In other words it's all about me, or it's all about us. I did it my way. We don't put up with opposition to our decisions, beliefs, feelings, or plans. Wrong is the opposite of what I am and who I am (or we are). Right is whatever I feel it is, believe it is, or determine it to be. Evil is wrong. Good is right. Genesis 3:5 in the Bible records the serpent saying "...when you eat it your eyes will be like God, knowing good and evil". Although it's recorded that earlier God explained that eating from the tree would bring death, mankind through Adam and Eve introduced sin to the world. Alas, we didn't become like God (Satan the serpent, was wrong). The original sin of disobedience carries on today with the false belief that we determine what is good and what is evil.
Individually and collectively (as a nation, as a denomination, as a church, as a neighborhood), we must recognize that haughtiness or arrogance is the ruination of everything. Proverbs 6:16 lists six things God hates, and haughty eyes is first on the list. Jesus says in Matthew 23:12 that whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Pauls writing in Colossians says it this way "...put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience accepting one another and forgiving one another...above all, put on love, the perfect bond of unity". 1st Corinthians 10:24 says no one should seek his own good, but the good of the other person. Isaiah 29:13 and repeated by Jesus in Matthew 15:8-9 says "These people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. They worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commands of men".
In other words, the system we're used to with humility not being valued and arrogance a goal is completely the opposite of what we should be about. Committed relationships are all about the other, beginning with our relationship with God. Rick Warren sold a lot of Purpose Driven books with the concept that It's not about me, it's all about God. Casual relationships are also all about service to others, not personal gain. Happiness comes from giving, not receiving. Defending our own "turf" as a person, nation or church, because we're right and we know it, is not what it seems. Proverbs 8:13 says to fear the Lord is to hate evil, as he hates arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech (our role is the fearful respect of the Lord, not combatting the evil). Proverbs 16:18 says pride goes before destruction and an arrogant spirit before a fall. Galations 6:3 says if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he is deceiving himself. Jesus said in John 14 that the one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. There are many more verses describing obedience, but they all stem from submitting ourselves to God. Ephesians 5:21 even says "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ".
It is arrogant to think that atheists should submit to the commands of God, non-Christians should be obedient to the words of Jesus, Muslims should transform their Allah to a more accepted version by the western world, or U.S. citizens should treat immigrants as enemies. It would also be arrogant of each of the example groups mentioned to think everyone else should accept their viewpoints or perspectives. Respect for each person as a creation of God should allow true followers of Christ to be persuasive through love, which is humble and meek. Zephaniah 3:12 describes a future day of the Lord where he promises to leave the meek and humble who trust in the name of the Lord as a remnant to change the people. In the famous sermon on the mount, Jesus said the meek will inherit the earth. That is the same sermon where he said "..love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...and love your neighbor as yourself". In John 15 he was even more pointed. In describing love he said as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. This is what I command you: love one another. Therefore, we should obey, rather than look upon their uncleaness, their differences, their evil habits, or watch with haughty eyes.
He did not say "kill them all for their sin". He did not say "you are so much more valuable to me due to your good works that you can treat them like animals". He did not say "I am pleased that you are right, so it is my pleasure to glorify you and enrich you, and rank you above all others". He did not say "be sure to stay away from all people who don't believe exactly as you believe so you won't be tainted by their bad theology". He did not say "since you are perfect in my sight, limit your relationships to other perfect people that I will show you". He did not say "It's a good thing you came along, because even though I'm God, I can't do better than your wisdom and discernment". He didn't even say "You arrogant prideful sinner, there is no forgiveness for the narcissistic, judgemental, wicked, disrespectful thievery you have committed".
He did say in Romans "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus....this hope does not disappoint because God's love has been poured out in our hearts...now in this hope we were saved...in the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness...and intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to his purpose...be in agreement with one another. Do not be proud; instead associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation...Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law...so then, each of us will give an account of himself to God". As chapter 15 says: "Now may the God of endurance and encouragement grant you agreement with one another, according to Christ Jesus, so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with a united mind and voice. Therefore, accept one another, just as the Messiah also accepted you, to the glory of God." It's not about me, but all about him. What about you, are you arrogant?
