1 Kings 1:1-27
Today's Passage: 1 Kings 1:1-27
Let this passage be a glaring reminder of the danger of self-exaltation. The entire crux of this text is here in verse 5: “Now Adonijah the Son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.”
“Exalted himself.” “I will be king.” What bold and arrogant statements, as if that is how the monarchy worked in the days of Israel! This decision was not Adonijah’s to make, for it alone was left up to the words of the King, which happened to be the aging David.
Our Identity takes a nosedive into crisis mode with self-exaltation. It elevates our own view of position, authority, worth and value (which is the exact opposite of humility), creating an incredible number of blind spots and an overflow of pride. When we fail to see ourselves as we truly are, self-exaltation has the potential to set up kingdoms in which we were never intended to rule.
Beware of even subtle ways in which self-exaltation can occur:
These were the downfall of Adonijah, when in reality, he didn’t possess the proper perspective of himself because that truth rested on the King.
In the same way, don’t create a false or elevated identity that isn’t yours to decide, for it too rests with the King. God is the decider of authority. He gets to say who we are. We cannot elevate ourselves further than His permission. Let us live humbly in our estate, trusting Him to be the one who exalts the humble.
I heard someone say it once and I know it to be true: We learn either by humility or humiliation. Don’t learn the same way Adonijah did.
Written By: Drew Dukes
Let this passage be a glaring reminder of the danger of self-exaltation. The entire crux of this text is here in verse 5: “Now Adonijah the Son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king.”
“Exalted himself.” “I will be king.” What bold and arrogant statements, as if that is how the monarchy worked in the days of Israel! This decision was not Adonijah’s to make, for it alone was left up to the words of the King, which happened to be the aging David.
Our Identity takes a nosedive into crisis mode with self-exaltation. It elevates our own view of position, authority, worth and value (which is the exact opposite of humility), creating an incredible number of blind spots and an overflow of pride. When we fail to see ourselves as we truly are, self-exaltation has the potential to set up kingdoms in which we were never intended to rule.
Beware of even subtle ways in which self-exaltation can occur:
- An abuse of authority that isn’t actually there.
- A heightened sense of entitlement and importance over other people.
- An unapproachable spirit or the use of intimidation tactics.
- The rallying of “yes-men” supporters who won’t tell you the truth.
These were the downfall of Adonijah, when in reality, he didn’t possess the proper perspective of himself because that truth rested on the King.
In the same way, don’t create a false or elevated identity that isn’t yours to decide, for it too rests with the King. God is the decider of authority. He gets to say who we are. We cannot elevate ourselves further than His permission. Let us live humbly in our estate, trusting Him to be the one who exalts the humble.
I heard someone say it once and I know it to be true: We learn either by humility or humiliation. Don’t learn the same way Adonijah did.
Written By: Drew Dukes
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