Self-Exaltation

  Self is “a permanent subject of successive and varying states of consciousness; what one is at a particular time or in a particular aspect or relation, one’s nature, character, or sometimes physical constitution or appearance, considered as different at different times.” Exaltation is “elevation to power, an elevated state.”The Oxford English Dictionary
  Synonyms for “egotist” include egocentric, egomaniac, narcissist, conceit, vanity and most self-hyphenated terms.–Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary
  Philosophically stated, self is the ego, often identified with the soul or mind as opposed to the body; psychologically, self is an assemblage of characteristics and dispositions that we may conceive as constituting one of various conflicting personalities within man. Self-exaltation is an exaggerated sense of self-importance, the glorification of the self at the expense of your soul’s God-consciousness, the inflation of self-image to the detriment of your character. Simply put, self-exaltation is a potent fertilizer for rotten egotism.

Edna Lister on Self-Exaltation

It profits no soul to gain a point of earth in desire for self‑exaltation and lose even a degree of place in heaven. It profits no soul to be exalted in reputation on earth and lose soul character in heaven.–Edna Lister, August 1, 1938

Self-satisfaction is the curse of all earth expressions; it stultifies the soul itself. When the little self expands in self-satisfaction, self-exaltation, self-pity or any other selfish way, it draws the soul substance down into itself, leaving it withered and almost extinct. To inflate the little self is truly a death indeed.–Edna Lister, November 14, 1939

Selfishness, disregard for the suffering of others, greed in any form, and misuse of Power for self-exaltation will cause a man to sink lower on the path of retrogression, which can continue until he has less consciousness than the creature when it first starts its upward climb.–Edna Lister, A Design for Ascension, 1941

Whenever self enters, and the appetitive soul desires greater outer exaltation and recognition, it disturbs the vibration, which soon moves through all Power released, diluting its ability to cover transgressions.–Edna Lister, September 2, 1942

Only the very small self, using Power to its own exaltation, can hold you back now, or ever take any gains from you.–Edna Lister, December 26, 1944

The ascending Elect may not use the Power for selfish gain or outer exaltation of fame.–Edna Lister, September 5, 1946

You become earthbound if you lend your name to exalt the self, and cannot ascend until you wipe out the last debts.–Edna Lister, July 13, 1949

Those filled with self-exaltation, smugness, self-satisfaction and a feeling of virtuousness are unhappy unless they can force everyone else to do it their way; they are square pegs in round holes.–Edna Lister, Prayer, the Soul’s Aspiration, June 7, 1953

Self always plans for its own advancement and exaltation.–Edna Lister, Unquenchable Love and Unconquerable Faith, April 4, 1954

The opposite of humility is self‑exaltation.
  Self-exaltation sees everyone who pointed a finger at you.–Edna Lister, Jesus, the Teacher, October 3, 1954

Jesus said, “Even if I bear witness of myself, yet my witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going.”–John 8:14. He also said, “If I honor myself, my honor is nothing. It is my Father who honors me.”–John 8:54. These declarations strike a delicate balance between boasting, bragging, exalting self, and speaking about God to entice and persuade others to follow law and seek the Father through impersonal service.–Edna Lister, Before Abraham Was, I am, March 18, 1956

To fear praise is the outer sign of an inner, well hidden personal self-exaltation.–Edna Lister, The Lord Has Need of Thee, March 25, 1956

When you say “I” about any personal achievement, you are probably boasting.–Edna Lister, June 6, 1957

Love does not parade itself.–1 Corinthians 13:4 means don’t blow your own horn.–Edna Lister, As the World Sees Me, June 22, 1958

Any thought of self, “How great I am” or “Where I am” —lands you on the bottom.–Edna Lister, October 13, 1958

Self‑exaltation results from a lack of the love for God.–Edna Lister, October 20, 1958

The physical heart that contains feelings of self aggrandizement cannot ascend as high as you may wish.–Edna Lister, May 4, 1959

If you remember that you stand before the Supreme, conscious of your present small size, you cannot be moved to exalt the self.–Edna Lister, June 18, 1959

Your degree of service shall be your exaltation.–Edna Lister, October 2, 1960

All your petty demonstrations of “I will” and “I won’t,” and every boast you have ever made confronts you on the Via Christa, because you are scraping all taints of the past from your soul.–Edna Lister, May 27, 1961

Every occasion of self‑exaltation digs a hole for you to fall into, dirt slides in and anchors you.–Edna Lister, December 5, 1963

Any soul taints, such as pride, self-pity, blame, a “holier than thou” attitude, self-righteousness, self-aggrandizement, or self-exaltation, shows on your face and betrays you if you do not cleanse it.–Edna Lister, April 13, 1964

Pride can contain bizarre elements; it is a composite of cut-throat competitiveness, getting ahead of the Joneses, arrogance, self-exaltation, playing God, and so on.–Edna Lister, May 12, 1967

Any taint of self‑exaltation will explode despite your degree of self‑control.–Edna Lister, October 31, 1968

Unless your preparatory work is sufficient and your desire to return home to God is burning hot enough, you may succumb to taints of self, which can turn unto a disastrous self-exaltation.–Edna Lister, December 6, 1968

Every statement you make is dedicated to you. You must prove every declaration you make about yourself.–Edna Lister, Faith Complete Now, November 15, 1970

Self‑exaltation will hold you back.–Edna Lister, February 4, 1971

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