My grandpa used to have a saying that he used on his grandkids when they were getting too much attitude. He would say, “you’re getting too big for your britches.” It meant that we were getting a little full of ourselves and needed to be brought down a few notches. Everyone runs the risk of thinking too highly of themselves. It’s when we act on that arrogance that things go really wrong.
2 Chronicles 26:16
But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.”
Acted Corruptly
King Uzziah had gotten too big for his britches. He became strong because of his vast army, and that caused him to become proud in his heart. He then started to act corruptly and became unfaithful to the Lord. This led him to enter the temple of the Lord to perform the acts only the Priests could do. He wanted to burn incense at the Incense Altar, which was only done by the Priests. Azariah and 80 priests withstood his attempt, and when Uzziah got angry, leprosy broke out on his face.
Crash and Burn
You see the story over and over in people’s lives once they experience a little success. They accomplish something noteworthy, and with that, the praise of others. Next thing you know, they have become cocky and unbearable to be around. Then their actions start to change, and finally, they crash and burn. All of this is the result of arrogance.
Too Big for Your Britches
All of this can be avoided by staying humble and recognizing your real source of strength. Our success will always be a result of what God is doing in our life. If we become unfaithful to the Lord, we will experience a painful fall. No one can avoid it except through repentance. Make sure that you do not grow too big for your britches.