Definition:
Self-exaltation refers to the act of elevating oneself in status, power, or importance, often characterized by pride and arrogance. It is the pursuit of personal glory and honor above others and, ultimately, above God. This behavior is consistently condemned in Scripture as it opposes the humility and servitude that God desires from His followers.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 16:18 · "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
This verse highlights the inevitable downfall that follows self-exaltation. Pride, a key component of self-exaltation, leads to one's ruin, emphasizing the danger of elevating oneself.

2. Isaiah 14:12-15 · The fall of Lucifer is often cited as the ultimate example of self-exaltation. Lucifer's desire to ascend above God led to his downfall:
"How you have fallen from heaven, O day star, son of the dawn! ... You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God... But you will be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit."

3. Luke 18:9-14 · The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector illustrates the folly of self-exaltation in spiritual matters. The Pharisee's self-righteousness is contrasted with the humility of the tax collector:
"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

4. James 4:6 · "But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'"
This passage underscores God's opposition to the proud and His favor towards the humble, reinforcing the biblical stance against self-exaltation.

5. Philippians 2:3-4 · "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Here, believers are instructed to reject self-exaltation and embrace humility, valuing others above themselves.

Theological Implications:

Self-exaltation is fundamentally at odds with the character of Christ, who exemplified ultimate humility. Philippians 2:5-8 describes how Jesus, though equal with God, "made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant." This self-emptying is the antithesis of self-exaltation and serves as the model for Christian behavior.

Consequences of Self-Exaltation:

The Bible warns that self-exaltation leads to divine judgment and personal downfall. Nebuchadnezzar's account in Daniel 4 serves as a cautionary tale. His pride and self-glorification resulted in his temporary madness and loss of kingdom until he acknowledged God's sovereignty.

Practical Application:

Believers are called to cultivate humility and resist the temptation of self-exaltation. This involves recognizing one's dependence on God, serving others selflessly, and seeking God's glory above personal ambition. The practice of humility aligns with the teachings of Christ and fosters a community that reflects God's kingdom values.(n.) The act of exalting one's self, or the state of being so exalted.3820. leb -- inner man, mind, will, heart
... 36), minds (3), myself (6), obstinate* (2), planned* (1), presume* (1), pride*
(1), recalls* (1), reflected* (1), regard* (1), self-exaltation* (1), sense (10 ...
/hebrew/3820.htm - 7k

534. amir -- the top, summit
... bough, branch. Apparently from 'amar (in the sense of self- exaltation); a summit
(of a tree or mountain -- bough, branch. see HEBREW 'amar. 533, 534. ...
/hebrew/534.htm - 6k

7312. rum -- height, haughtiness
... Word Origin from rum Definition height, haughtiness NASB Word Usage haughtiness
(2), haughty (1), height (1), loftiness (2), self-exaltation* (1). ...
/hebrew/7312.htm - 6k

Prayer and Humility
... There is no self-praise in humility. Rather it has the disposition to praise others.
"In honour preferring one another." It is not given to self-exaltation. ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/ii prayer and humility.htm

James i. 9-11
... This glorying he enjoins, with no occasion to apprehend self-exaltation; for the
glory here spoken of is not one which man owes to his own powers and efforts ...
/.../neander/the epistle of james practically explained/james i 11-sep.htm

The Enemies to Man's Rising Out of the Fall of Adam...
... But the one great dragon- enemy, called anti-Christ, is SELF-EXALTATION.
This is his birth, his pomp, his power, and his throne; when ...
/.../address 115 0 0 the enemies to.htm

What Therefore Has Everyone So Much to Fear, to Renounce and Abhor ...
... What therefore has everyone so much to fear, to renounce and abhor, as every inward
sensibility of self-exaltation, and every outward work that proceeds from it ...
/.../address 118 0 0 what therefore has.htm

section second.
... And thus he was able, without untruth or self-exaltation, to hold up to the Philippians
the example of his own course among them as an admonition to them. ...
/.../the epistle of paul to the philippians practically explained/section second.htm

The Self Life.
... I might mention many, but let us take the simplest words that we are continually
using,"self-will, self-confidence, self-exaltation. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the masters indwelling/ii the self life.htm

The Origin of Evil.
... because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy
brightness."(881) Little by little, Lucifer came to indulge a desire for self- ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /29 the origin of evil.htm

The Origin of Evil
... Little by little, Lucifer came to indulge a desire for self-exaltation. "Thou hast
set thine heart as the heart of God." "Thou hast said, . . . ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 29 the origin of.htm

Hindrances to Revivals.
... I could only reply, that there was such a tendency to self-exaltation in the churches,
that I was afraid to publish anything on the subject. Perhaps I erred. ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xv hindrances to revivals.htm

The Personality of the Holy Spirit.
... have more of me?" The conception of the Holy Spirit as a Divine influence or power
that we are somehow to get hold of and use, leads to self-exaltation and self ...
/.../torrey/the person and work of the holy spirit/chapter i the personality of.htm

Self-exaltation (1 Occurrence)
Self-exaltation. Self-disparagement, Self-exaltation. Self-forgetfulness .
Noah Webster's Dictionary ... Multi-Version Concordance Self-exaltation (1 Occurrence ...
/s/self-exaltation.htm - 7k

Exalt (56 Occurrences)
... exalted"; for "exalteth itself" (2 Corinthians 10:5), "is exalted"; for "He shall
lift you up" (James 4:10), "He shall exalt you." Self-exaltation is strongly ...
/e/exalt.htm - 27k

Self-forgetfulness (1 Occurrence)
Self-forgetfulness. Self-exaltation, Self-forgetfulness. Self-glory .
Multi-Version Concordance ... (WEY). Self-exaltation, Self-forgetfulness. Self-glory ...
/s/self-forgetfulness.htm - 6k

Self-disparagement (1 Occurrence)
Self-disparagement. Self-discipline, Self-disparagement. Self-exaltation . ...
(WEY). Self-discipline, Self-disparagement. Self-exaltation . Reference Bible
/s/self-disparagement.htm - 6k

Humility (20 Occurrences)
... The humble mind is thus at the root of all other graces and virtues. Self-exaltation
spoils everything. There can be no real love without humility. ...
/h/humility.htm - 21k

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