“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Matthew 23:12
Men and women like to be exalted, to be lifted up, praised, and honored. It will make them feel like they have done something good or of great value.
There is nothing wrong in getting honored for something you have done. The problem comes in when you seek that honor yourself.
Very often people place themselves in a position of honor in order to receive that praise. They are telling people to look at them and see what they have done. These people are full of pride.
Pride tells everyone to look at me and lift me up. In Proverbs, you are told that pride comes right before a fall. Now, Jesus is stating the same thing. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled.
To be humbled, is to be put down, put into your place. No matter who you are, you are not as high or great as you may think you are. If you climb up on a pedestal, remember that now you are higher and have farther to fall.
Every person puts on their pants the same way, one leg at a time. This makes you no different from anyone else. Everyone also has been given the breath of life by God. Without God no one can do anything. Without God you are nothing.
Keeping this in mind, you must then humble yourself. Be real with yourself and with others. You may be doing great things, but it is because God has allowed you to and given you that ability. It is not because you are great.
Be willing to be the low man on the totem pole or ladder. God will lift you up in His time. Jesus said whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Just as Joseph was lifted up to the position of second in command of Egypt, so God may lift you up in the right time.
Don’t lift yourself up, it is a long fall down. Let God lift you up and you will rise and stay much higher. Jesus humbled Himself by dying on the cross, can you do any less?
I pray today that you will let God use you as a servant to others; that you will not lift yourself up, but let God honor you; that your heart will not be filled with pride; that you will keep yourself humble before God and others; and that God will use you to build His kingdom.
Leave a Reply