Let Others Exalt You
Imagine this:
You’re at a friend’s house, and this particular friend has another guest. This ‘guest’ is actually the state governor, and suddenly, you feel very out of place. So, to make up for the awkwardness, you start talking, and the next thing you know you’re bragging about your job and salary. After all, your position is much higher than your friend’s so you figure this will impress the governor.
Then, Governor Unnamed gives you a funny look and tells you HIS salary, and instantly your face warms. You’ve been put in your place and now all the confidence in your words and honor in your stride is gone. Your friend, who predicted this outcome from the start, is now shaking his head.
The rest of the dinner would be VERY awkward, wouldn’t it?
This scenario is based on something we’re warned against doing in Proverbs 25:6. The verses read, “Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king and do not stand in the place of the great—” and we just covered a brief and very vague example of why.
Whenever we believe ourselves better than another person, we should instead remember that sure, we might be a step ahead of someone, but there’s others that are miles ahead of us. However, unless someone brings up the conversation of paychecks or job positions, odds are someone isn’t calling you out for your skills or lack of them.
The second part of verse seven explains this in the context of exalting yourself before a king. Proverbs 25:6-7 continues to say, “For it is better that he say to you, “Come up here,” than you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.”
Or in other words, it’s a lot less humiliating to have someone compliment you as opposed to having you stand there bragging about yourself only to have someone else point out your faults in front of someone you admire.
Let’s roll back to that same situation we were describing earlier.
If we rewind time a bit and pretend, you’re back with your friend, but you haven’t said anything to the governor quite yet. If we take this proverb into consideration and instead of saying things that make us look good, we instead start talking about how amazing the governor is or maybe even our friend, then instead of looking like a proud fool, we’ll come across as a kind friend and polite stranger.
And if we do this, those around us who we’ve been complimenting will appreciate it, and odds are if they’re a true friend, the only things they say about you will be positive as well. Whatever their response is, it’s always better to ‘play it safe’ or be humble, because even if what you’re saying about yourself IS true, it’s not going to make you more likable.
More than that, it’s going to leave you vulnerable to an attack on your own character and position. As another Proverbs puts it, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)
