From the Book, Rules For Life: According To Jesus
25. Do Not Exalt Yourself
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses.So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden.
“Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels.And they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the synagogues. They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi.’
“Don’t let anyone call you ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters. And don’t address anyone here on earth as ‘Father,’ for only God in heaven is your Father. And don’t let anyone call you ‘Teacher,’ for you have only one teacher, the Messiah. The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Matthew 23:1-12
This is one of those smooth sins that sneaks in when you least expect it. You feel like you’re on the right path, doing everything right, then BAM! you’ve been guilty of exalting yourself. It’s easy to do.
In case you’re not sure what it is to “exalt”, it’s to make yourself higher in rank, or to be very proud of yourself, to somehow think that you are better than someone else.
As soon as you start to realize that you’ve been making yourself out to be more than you really are, stop! Repent. Apologize to the ones you’ve offended. Humble yourself before God and man. Okay? It isn’t fun, but that’s what has to happen.
I know that it isn’t always easy to even recognize this in today’s culture that says to think the most of yourself. How many times does the TV tell you that “you deserve it” (whatever good thing it might be)? The world is always pushing you away from the thinking that God wants you to embrace (in this case, humility).
And this is only going to get worse, too, as the days roll on by. Paul warned Timothy of this some 2,000 years ago.
You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
2 Timothy 3
So follow Paul’s advice and stay away from people like that. And follow Jesus’ command and don’t become a person like that. All of this bluff and bluster is just a smokescreen anyway for those who are insecure. Be truly humble, you’ll be glad you are.
Previous – Have Childlike Faith | Next – Settle Disputes Quickly
Sections in this study:
Introduction
1: Repent
2: Be Born Again
3: Place God First
4: Love and Serve One Another
5: Live By Faith
6: Forgive Others
7: Remain in Jesus
8: Live Righteously Before Men
9: Avoid Bad Influences
10: Stay On The Narrow Path
11: Do Not Return Evil With Evil
12: Give More Than Is Demanded
13: Love Your Enemies
14: Check Your Motives
15: Pray Simply
16: Do Not Worry
17: Store Up Treasures In Heaven
18: Do Not Be Judgmental
19: Guard what is Sacred
20: Care For Those In Distress
21: Do Not Swear Oaths
22: Watch out for false prophets
23: Exercise Spiritual Power
24: Have Childlike Faith
25: Do Not Exalt Yourself
26: Settle Disputes Quickly
27: Settle Disputes Between Believers
28: Do not Oppose Brethren
29: Remember Me
30: Be Merciful
31: Make Disciples
32: Be Ready
33: Obey Jesus’ Commands
Closing Comments
