Leave Self-Promotion Up to Others (Proverbs 25)
Do you ever feel the need to constantly prove yourself? In a world driven by self-promotion, Proverbs 25 reminds us that humility speaks louder.
Proverbs 25
Today's Scripture Passage
A Few Thoughts to Consider
Do you struggle with self-promotion?
Self-promotion has never been more tempting in an age of platform building and social media. Self-promotion builds brands, establishes our identity, and solidifies our place in society—or so we’re told. After all, if we don’t promote ourselves, who will?
Proverbs 25:6-7 takes a very different approach and says, 6 “Don’t boast about yourself before the king, and don’t stand in the place of the great; 7 for it is better for him to say to you, ‘Come up here!’ than to demote you in plain view of a noble.” This admonition is self-explanatory. As Bruce Waltke writes, “If superiors promote a courtier, he can enter their ranks confident that he merits their favor. If not, he anxiously fears the demotion, which someone inevitably will inflict upon him.”[1]
Solomon’s main point in this proverb reveals how self-destructive self-promotion is. When we strive to make a name for ourselves, we revert to our Babylonian ancestors in Genesis 11:4 and suffer a similar fate. We work against God’s original intent. As Rowland Murphy writes, “Self-praise is suspicious; the verdict of others is more objective.”[2]
A Meditation to PRAY
Praise | Lord, I praise you for your wisdom and guidance. Your words teach me humility and the value of knowing my place. I thank you for the lessons you provide through your scriptures.
Release | I release my pride and the need for recognition before men. I let go of my desires to exalt myself and seek positions of honor. Lord, help me to humble myself and trust in your timing.
Ask | I ask for your strength and grace to live humbly. Guide me to seek your approval above all and to wait patiently for your elevation. Teach me to serve faithfully without seeking recognition, knowing that you see my heart and my efforts.
Yield | I yield my ambitions to you, Lord. I submit to your will and your timing for my life. I trust that you will lift me up in due time if I humble myself before you. Help me to walk in humility and trust in your divine plan.
