Self-exaltation, the act of elevating oneself in pride or arrogance, is a theme addressed throughout the Bible. Scripture consistently warns against the dangers of pride and the pursuit of self-glory, emphasizing humility and submission to God as virtues.

Old Testament References:

1. Proverbs 16:18 · "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." This verse highlights the inevitable downfall that follows pride, serving as a caution against self-exaltation.

2. Isaiah 2:11-12 · "The proud look of man will be humbled, and the loftiness of men will be brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted—it will be humbled." Here, the prophet Isaiah warns that God will humble those who exalt themselves, underscoring the futility of human pride.

3. Daniel 4:37 · "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and glorify the King of heaven, for all His works are true and all His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride." King Nebuchadnezzar's acknowledgment of God's sovereignty after his humbling experience serves as a testament to the consequences of self-exaltation.

New Testament References:

1. Matthew 23:12 · "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." Jesus teaches that self-exaltation leads to humbling, while humility leads to exaltation by God.

2. Luke 18:14 · "I tell you, this man, rather than the other, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, Jesus illustrates the principle that God honors humility over self-righteousness.

3. James 4:6 · "But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'" James reiterates the Old Testament teaching that God resists the proud, offering grace to those who are humble.

4. 1 Peter 5:5-6 · "Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you." Peter encourages believers to adopt an attitude of humility, promising that God will exalt them in His timing.

Theological Implications:

The consistent biblical message against self-exaltation underscores the importance of recognizing God's sovereignty and our dependence on Him. Pride is depicted as a barrier to a right relationship with God, while humility is portrayed as a pathway to divine favor and blessing. The scriptures call believers to reject self-glorification and instead seek to glorify God in all things, trusting in His wisdom and timing for exaltation.Job 12:3
But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yes, who knows not such things as these?
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Ezekiel 31:10-14
Therefore thus said the Lord GOD; Because you have lifted up yourself in height, and he has shot up his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his height;
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Obadiah 1:3,4
The pride of your heart has deceived you, you that dwell in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that said in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?
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Luke 14:7-11
And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying to them.
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2 Corinthians 10:5,17,18
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
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Galatians 6:3
For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
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2 Thessalonians 2:4
Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
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General Index.
... general proclamation of, 355-374. result of receiving, 379. ... Self-exaltation,
Luther removed from danger of, 170. ... see also Bible; Scriptures. ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /general index.htm

The Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the ...
... In general, the tendency of these eighteen decrees was of ... in the madness of its
self-exaltation, represented God ... day with the study of the Scriptures, and by ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxxi the cavils of.htm

Ascetic.
... less of monasticism than of general Christian endurance ... They are to be carefully
instructed in the Scriptures. ... Self-exaltation and discontent are equally to be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/basil/basil letters and select works/iii ascetic.htm

The Permanent Significance of the Old Testament
... him in the use of the Old Testament Scriptures? ... Aside from these general considerations,
it is easily shown ... world, and teaches how the self-exaltation of man ...
/.../chapter vi the permanent significance.htm

Appendix v. Rabbinic Theology and Literature
... of Holy Writings' given to the Scriptures, but also ... also bear in the Talmud the general
designation of ... on account of his tendency to self-exaltation (Sanh.93 b ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix v rabbinic theology and.htm

Second Sunday Before Lent
... And in many places the Scriptures reprove avarice. ... such infirm beings as we, be free
from self-exaltation? ... them from running, biting and general mischief,"so ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/second sunday before lent.htm

Messianic Claims Met by Attempt to Stone Jesus.
... As an exception to his general course he might at ... are not spoken in a spirit of
self-exaltation, but in ... not acquired a knowledge of God from their Scriptures. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxxx messianic claims met by.htm

part i
... In the Holy Scriptures we see God face to face, and ourselves as we are. ... "God Himself
worketh in us." [13] In general, throughout the world we see the Kingdom ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm

A Traveler's Note-Book
... the most impressive documents of the Jewish scriptures. ... The general increase in rigidity
of ceremonial in ... possible; but the essential truth concerning him is ...
/.../merriam/the chief end of man/iii a travelers note-book.htm

part ii
... the spirit of magazines, newspapers, and in general of worldly ... of the Divine inspiration
of the Holy Scriptures, by the spirit of self-exaltation, of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

What is the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives today? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about self-gratification / self-pleasure? | GotQuestions.org

What is the god of self? | GotQuestions.org

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