Dealing with Snobbishness

Some people have inferiority complexes and some have superiority complexes. Situations where the latter comes into play are the topic in question here.

Enter snobbery.

If truth were known we’ve doubtless engaged in, or been affected by, both.

What stems from this reality is we have opportunities to respond to others’ snobbishness better and also to repel this proud persona ourselves.

The Source of Snobbishness

Everyone, deep down, has their entrenched values and belief systems. These were set from a young age and have been reinforced so much they’re inherently part of who we are. Besides this, we’ve got the genes we were born with, so already we’re predisposed to thinking certain ways.

The Nature/Nurture phenomenon is alive and well in everyone, explaining that both our biological makeup and our experiences—though mostly the latter—come into being regarding the source of superiority complexes.

These can be highly situational, depending on mood, or they can just be the way someone is; some people struggle with higher degrees of pride and stubbornness than others do.

It’s likely, for instance, that the highly capable ‘world-beater’ type is prone to considering themselves ‘better’ than others. On some levels they are; on many other levels, however, they’re self-deluded.

The source of snobbishness is the heart, bent against the prevailing morality of virtue. Yes, it’s belief in common lies.

When We’re Given to Snobbishness

Most of us, if we’re honest, will have a niché of snobbishness in us—a place where we genuinely believe we’re specially blessed or positioned.

It wouldn’t be so bad if this giftedness was true. Sometimes it is. But we easily inflate our abilities when we slink into our egocentric states.

Awareness is a key matter. Let’s pray for a special sensitivity to exhibiting snobbish thoughts and behaviours, so we can ask God to rid it from us.

Dealing with Snobbishness in Others

This has got to be instantly empowering.

The raw truth is another’s snobbishness is their problem. It’s their lie that they’ve both fabricated about the situation we’re involved with them in and which they propagate. Their lie keeps them from seeing aright. And pride generally precedes a fall. They’re on a downhill run, and if they continue it won’t end well.

Other people’s snobbishness can hurt because it’s essentially a purposeful rejection of what we offer or of us ourselves.

But to allow the hurt to affect us, despite it being the default, is the wrong response. Our hurt is a distraction; it’s not really the point.

The correct response is to understand the truth—that it’s not our problem; it’s theirs—and to understand they need the mercy of God. We should pray for them. Somehow deep down inside them they feel a little inferior. Why else would they seek to assert their superiority?

Now we identify a paradox!

It’s the humble who’ll be exalted. The proud do not know; they take the lower position.

Noting others in their snobbishness is now considered a blessing, as it’s recognised, for we’re not setting ourselves above God like they are. We pray that God will soften their hearts to the truth, that they might appreciate the principle of equal value as it enfolds itself over all humanity.

© 2011 S. J. Wickham.