Self Promotion: The Trap

"And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." - Jesus in Matthew 23:12

Guard against falling into the trap of self promotion. This causes self delusion, for one blinds himself to God's ways when he seeks the glory of men.

"How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?"  (John 5:44)  

The trap that many fall into is that of trying to make themselves look good, bragging on self, self exaltation, creating an image, pizazz and show, trying to impress others, and seeking to be noticed.  

Not only individuals but organizations and even churches can easily fall prey to this trap.  May God ever keep our church in teaching against recruitment practices.  Let us pray and labor to see the lost saved and the Christians brought into perfect love, but let God alone chose who is a part of whose church.  This guards against a lot of posturing and PR type tactics which leads us dangerously close to pride and depending on the flesh rather than God.   

Self promotion also evades God's plan and God's timing. This is never good.  

And it promotes pride and pride inevitably causes a fall.  For God cannot extend grace to pride, for "But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."  God goes on to say through James (4:6-7) "Submit yourselves therefore to God."  Let God choose your standing be it high or low in the eyes of men.  Seek to be low before God and He will pour out His grace.  How precious is God's grace, and how dangerous is high honor.

Any supposed good that comes of self promotion, even supposedly sought after "for the glory of God,” is in the end is lost.   

At the very best self-promotion is vain and is depending on one's own arm of strength. “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.  But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another."  (Psalm 75:6-7)  

It's not doing things God's way, so it is unwise.  Letting God chose your lot in life is wise.  "The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools."  (Proverbs 3:35)  And I long for God's glory!  

What's worse, is that self promotion sets a wicked precedent.  It seeks to play the role of God and it Satanically seeks to usurp God's glory.           
                                                                                -Phillip