Exhortation
"Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
— Matthew 23:12, ESV
Nearly every social media account I have constantly sends me marketing tips for JCCM. They notify me of promotions, suggest strategies to gain more followers, and offer ways to increase engagement.
When I first started out, I paid for one or two of those advertisements to bring in more followers. But then I heard the Holy Spirit say, “I didn’t tell you to do that. Even if no one listens to the devotionals you post—keep posting them. I never told you to go and get followers. I told you to share My Word.”
It’s remarkable how easily we slip into thinking that Jesus needs our help—as if He doesn’t already know all things. The truth is, He doesn’t need our help—He needs our obedience.
We must be especially cautious when it comes to marketing ourselves. If we’re not careful, we may fall into the trap of pride. God knows exactly how to bring the right people to us. He doesn’t require our strategies or promotions.
Consider this: John the Baptist preached in the wilderness of Judea, and people came out to hear him. Nowhere in Scripture do we see John—or Jesus—advertising their ministry, yet the crowds were massive.
Jesus simply said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” He never told us to follow anyone else or chase popularity.
Satan is cunning and strategic. If we’re not vigilant, we may unknowingly begin to exalt ourselves—and that is dangerous ground. Scripture tells us this is exactly why Satan was cast out of heaven:
"How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground,
You who weakened the nations!
For you have said in your heart:
‘I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God...
I will be like the Most High.’
Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol,
To the lowest depths of the Pit."
— Isaiah 14:12–15
Satan’s fall came because he desired to exalt himself. Isn’t it interesting that so much of social media revolves around gaining more followers—yet Jesus simply said, “Follow Me”? That’s not a coincidence.
Key Takeaways
Jesus never sought to exalt Himself.
Exalting oneself leads to pride.
Pride always brings a fall.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19; Isaiah 55:11
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