Self-Promotion (Part One) and (Part Two)…

“Self-Promotion (Part One)”
“But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts,
glory not, and lie not against the truth. ” James 3:14
James gives a direct command in this verse not to glory!
The tongue loves to brag on the flesh. We must be careful to
guard against lifting ourselves up. The pride of self-
promotion has destroyed the testimony of many people.
Several years ago, I read a quote that sums up my theme,
“Pride and grace never dwell in the same place.”
Some promote themselves by telling others about all the
good they have done. They don’t need the Lord to keep a
record of their accomplishments because they have one of
their own. They are quick to blow the trumpet, making others
aware of how God has used them.
We should talk about how God uses our fellow brother or
sister, and not ourselves. Giving God the glory for using
others can keep our hearts free from envy and strife. Self-
promotion is like a cancer in our society today. Social media
has given a platform to any person who desires one, and that
has built pride and arrogance in the hearts of many people,
boosting egos to unprecedented heights! One cannot put a
price tag on humility, but it does not come naturally to most of
us. Lord, help us not to glory in ourselves. (Cont.) -R.G.

Prepared by Roger Fulk, from excerpts from the “Baptist Bread” September 4, 2022 devotional by author DR. RICK GRAVLEY, Pastor, Bible Baptist Church, Rossville , Rossville, GA. With permission from Tim Green, editor of Baptist Bread. The Baptist Bread

“Self-Promotion (Part Two)”
“This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly,
sensual, devilish.” James 3:15
Self-promotion is worldly, wicked and worse! The devil’s
goal was to be “Number One” and he wanted to promote
himself above God’s throne. It is so wicked to magnify
oneself! The exaltation of self over others is couched in the sin
of tearing others down, to build ourselves up. It is an attitude
spawned in Satan himself.
The world was better off without social media. Even
though it can be used as a tool, it is often used as a toy. It is
often a weapon to destroy and hurt others. I don’t think the
Lord would have us use social media in a self-promoting
mode. Starting debates, creating false premises to argue
about, name-calling and hurting others is not very Christ-like.
I’m not fussing with you if you have a social media account,
but I am saying it ought to be used properly and positively. I
think it has given cowards the boldness to cause strife and
envy, two weapons the devil has used since the Garden of
Eden!
Self-promotion has coerced Christians into making
celebrities of preachers and singers. It has built platforms to
promote and honor men rather than God. It causes us to focus
on the earthly instead of the heavenly. One final thought, one
is much more like the devil when promoting oneself. Jesus
Christ did just the opposite while He was on earth; He made
himself of no reputation (see Phil. 2:5-9).
Lord, help us to do the same in this regard, that others
might see Jesus in us. – R.G. DR. RICK GRAVLEY, Pastor, Bible Baptist Church, Rossville , Rossville, GA.

Prepared by Roger Fulk, from excerpts from the “Baptist Bread” September 5, 2022 devotional by author DR. RICK GRAVLEY, Pastor, Bible Baptist Church, Rossville , Rossville, GA. With permission from Tim Green, editor of Baptist Bread. The Baptist Bread