Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser
In a world where ambition is celebrated, and self-promotion is the norm, we often find ourselves striving, pushing, and reaching for the next level – believing that our talents, connections, or hard work alone can take us to the top. The truth, however, is that while effort and excellence are important, they are not the ultimate deciding factors. Scripture makes it clear: true promotion comes from God alone. God is the one who opens doors, sets the stage, and lifts individuals according to His purpose and timing. Recognising Him as the ultimate promoter brings both humility and assurance, inviting us to trust in His wisdom rather than our own striving. True greatness is found not in self-promotion but in surrendering our ambitions to the One who lifts us according to His purpose and glory. Let’s delve into this article as we look to Scripture, reflect on our own journeys, and learn to trust the ultimate Promoter – God. Be blessed as you read!
Most people reading this probably dream of a promotion. Whether you’re employed, aiming for a better role with better pay, or running your own business and wanting to expand, that desire is likely there. Even in ministry, the goal is often to reach more people. It seems inherent in us all to strive for something more, to go further. Everyone wants to move forward; stagnation isn’t in our nature. This desire for more is, I believe, divinely instilled. I’m certain God built into us this drive to excel and achieve. The good news is God created you for greatness, and regardless of your current situation, He wants you to succeed. He desires your financial prosperity and well-being. However, many view prosperity as something unattainable. Many believe education, talent, connections, or privilege are the keys to success, but while these things can help, they aren’t the source of promotion. Some think promotions are based on education and personality, while others believe they’re a result of favouritism. But the Bible offers a different perspective:
“For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. 7But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another” (Psalms 75:6-7). This text emphasises that God is the ultimate source of promotion. Promotion comes from God alone. One significant barrier to receiving God’s blessings is the common misconception that our achievements are solely the result of our efforts, talents, or abilities. While it is true that God can utilise our talents and skills – whether that be singing, crafting, drawing, or any other abilities – we must recognise that these gifts are bestowed by Him. God uses our talents, but we need to move past the belief that our abilities are the primary reason for our success. This may be a radical assertion, and many people might disagree with it; however, a wealth of scripture supports this idea. For example, 1 Corinthians 1 says, “Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
God chooses people who are not mainly those considered wise, powerful, or of high social standing in the world’s view. The text of scripture highlights the fact that God often chooses those whom the world might overlook or underestimate. God’s choices are not based on worldly criteria. Instead, He often selects those who are considered weak, foolish, or insignificant by the world’s standards to confound the wise and demonstrate His power through them. The reason for this approach is so that no one can boast in His presence.
" God uses our talents, but we need to move past the belief that our abilities are the primary reason for our success. "
Those who are well-educated and successful by the world’s standards might feel that these passages imply they could never be used by God. However, that is not the case. The Bible does not say that no wise people are called; it states that not many are called. While you may have talents and abilities, if you are relying solely on them and attempting to gain promotion through your own efforts, it is unlikely to work. In Isaiah 42:8, God speaks about His son Jesus in a prophecy regarding His coming, stating that He will not give His glory to another. God will never share His glory with anyone but Jesus. Therefore, if you are taking credit for your achievements and believing that it is solely due to your great ability and talent that God is using you, and if you are seeking promotion based on that, I can assure you that God is not going to promote that mindset.
Another scripture to consider is 1 Peter 5, which says that God resists the proud. Pride is not only about arrogance; it can manifest in various ways. Essentially, pride is self-sufficiency and self-dependence, leading to an attitude of thinking, “God, I don’t need you. I’m awesome.” There are people who truly believe they are God’s gift to mankind, but this mindset ultimately results in God opposing them and hindering their promotion. Remember, pride is not solely about arrogance; it is also about believing you can achieve everything on your own. This belief can block your path to promotion. Promotion does not stem from your own abilities; it comes from God. He is the one who raises one person and brings down another. While it’s true that you can achieve success outside of God, I can assure you that such paths will lead to destruction. For example, you could become financially successful by robbing a bank or by lying, cheating, and stealing. While you might achieve some level of prosperity through these actions, they will ultimately bring negative consequences: depression, shame, condemnation in this life, and judgment in the next.
Yes, you could find success through your own talents, but you will never reach your full potential or the level of promotion that God has planned for you. If you seek God’s promotion, you must learn to humble yourself and depend on Him. This means taking all your talents and abilities and surrendering them to God. If you are a highly talented person who finds that everything you touch turns out well and believes it is solely due to your natural abilities, I genuinely feel sorry for you. This mindset makes it challenging to recognise God as your source, as you may think your success is solely the result of your own abilities.
For example, if you’re skilled with finances and have always prospered, it can be challenging to trust God completely. You might find yourself focused on what you can do to achieve your goals. In contrast, someone who struggles in that area will often have to rely on the Lord, which is why God chooses the weak things of the world to confound the mighty. He desires for us to place our trust in Him and give Him the glory. However, you need to understand that the Lord has not put a premium on ignorance. It’s just that many of those who are wise and respected in the eyes of the world often struggle with pride and depend on their own abilities. Those who possess numerous talents and skills have much more to let go of. Meanwhile, those who recognise their limitations find it easier to place their complete trust in the Lord.
For instance, the apostle Paul was likely one of the most intelligent individuals of his time. He was educated by one of the most esteemed leaders among the Jews. Paul was fluent in both Greek and Hebrew, which was quite remarkable in his era, and others quickly recognised the depth of his training (Acts 26:24). It took Paul at least fourteen years of diligently seeking the Lord before he fully transitioned to relying entirely on Him (Galatians 2:1). If those who are deemed wise by human standards humble themselves and depend on God’s wisdom, God will use them just as He did with Paul.
