In the era that we find ourselves living in, it is very tempting to exalt ourselves.  Social platforms make it easy, whether it is posting our good deeds, buying a new car, or just taking pictures with money, there’s actually plenty of that last bit on social media.  

God’s Word today warns us against that:

Pro 30:32  If you have been foolish in exalting yourself Or if you have plotted evil, put your hand on your mouth.

Right there God stops us in our tracks, the language “put your hand of your mouth” means to “zip it immediately”. 

That tells us that God frowns on those who are schemers and plan out wicked deeds, and then our focus for today; exalting one’s self or bragging.  

Unfortunately, many of the role models that our kids look up to do just that.  Listening to music where artists brag about their sexual conquests or how big their homes are.  Or even the celebrity instagram post from a yacht or a Maserati that implies “Check me out, I’m rich and famous, and living the good life” 

In the material world, that is driven by greed and an insatiable desire for fancy houses and flashy cars, humanity woefully elevates these material assets as a social status, like what kind of school my kids go to, or what type of gadget I use, but the biblical reality is that none of that matters, all of that stuff comes with an expiration date, but Heaven…(and hell) are forever.  

This should call for some serious self reflection, are we looking to the world for influences, or do we follow Christ and look to Him and His life for how we live our own?

We end on this devotion with a verse from John’s first letter: 1Jn 2:17  The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.