SELF-EXALTATION IS UNGODLY!
“Two men went up into the temple to pray;…And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” – Luke 18:10-14.
*Comment:* This prayer of the Pharisees was considered by Jesus as unacceptable because it was self-exaltation. It is the quality of having an excessively high opinion of oneself or one’s importance. It is pride. God is against pride. King Solomon stated, “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate”(Proverbs 8:13). “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” – Proverbs 16:18.
He therefore admonished the proud, in this vein: “When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom ( Proverbs 11:2 ). Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom ( Proverbs 13:10). In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them (Proverbs 14:3). A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.” – Proverbs 29:23.
Jesus Christ also warned his followers against self-exaltation: “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” – Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11.
Whoever exalts himself is a child of the devil and would partake of his punishment unless such ones repent. – 2 Thessalonians 2:4-14.
*Prayer:* Our God who art in heaven. Help us not to exalt ourselves but live a lowly and peaceful life for our blessings and salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.