“How To Be A Hypocrite” (Exalt Yourself)
Jesus’ Sermon on Woes in Matthew 23 – “How To Be A Hypocrite” (Exalt Yourself)
Bro Timothy Ting | 1 February 2026 | Matthew 23:5–12
Jesus exposes a deep spiritual danger in Matthew 23 — the danger of self-exaltation disguised as religion. He describes the scribes and Pharisees:
“But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
(Matthew 23:5–12)
At the heart of this passage is not a condemnation of the human desire to be valued. Every person longs to be appreciated, respected, affirmed, and lifted up. That desire itself is not a defect — it is universal and not inherently sinful. The tension in the kingdom of God is not found in wanting greatness, but in how greatness is pursued and who stands at the center of that pursuit.
The world teaches self-promotion: build your platform, secure attention, ensure recognition. Jesus teaches the opposite: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled.” The problem is not visibility — it is self-centered visibility.
The Pharisees’ works were outwardly religious. They wanted greetings, titles, recognition, and honour. Jesus warns that when works are done to be seen by men, the reward is already paid in full. The transaction ends at human applause. When recognition becomes the goal, the soul receives exactly what it purchased — attention — and forfeits heaven’s reward.
Self Exaltation Distorts God’s Kingdom
Spiritual acts become tools of self-promotion. Prayer becomes performance. Service becomes reputation-building. Faithfulness becomes branding. Even titles become dangerous when they exist to magnify self instead of Christ.
The issue is not the title itself but the heart behind it: Is this for my glory or God’s?
When self sits at the center, even obedience is distorted. It looks like obedience but the motive is wrong.
Self-exaltation competes directly with God’s glory. When people look at us, do they see Christ — or someone trying to be impressive? That is the danger Jesus exposes. A life centered on self inevitably shrinks God in the eyes of others.
The Correction : God Exalts The Humble
Jesus offers a correction through humility. In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector:
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector… The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men…’ But the tax collector, standing afar off… beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
(Luke 18:9–14)
The world interprets humility as weakness. In God’s kingdom, humility is strength.
Pride leads to destruction; grace flows toward the humble.
Jesus does not remove the destination of exaltation — He redraws the map.
The world climbs to be seen. In the kingdom, we descends to be raised. God alone determines the timing, recognition, and purpose of exaltation.
He never exalts for the wrong reason or at the wrong time.
Scripture reinforces this promise:
“Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.”
(1 Peter 5:6)
The Commission : A Life That Exalts Christ
The life God calls believers into is not self-exalting but Christ-exalting. Paul captures this mission:
“According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.”
(Philippians 1:20)
To magnify Christ does not mean making Him bigger — He is already infinite. It means making Him clearer. The believer becomes a lens, not a mirror. A mirror reflects self; a lens clarifies Christ.
Magnification is about sharpening focus.
Christ-exalting living works like a telescope, bringing what seems distant near; like a microscope, making what seems small central; and like eyeglasses, bringing blurred truth into clarity. The world sees God through the conduct of His people.
This Christ-exalting life touches every area — service, speech, endurance, and daily choices. It is not a status to achieve but a quality of action. Exaltation is an adjective, not a noun.
Paul reminds believers:
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
(1 Corinthians 10:31)
Humility is not self-erasure; it is surrender of control. When believers step back, God decides timing, recognition, and glory.
The question becomes: Are we trying to be seen, or helping others see Christ?
Self-exaltation leads to eventual humiliation.
Humility leads to divine exaltation.
A Christ-centered life keeps Him clear, not hidden behind personal ambition. The call of the gospel remains urgent: repentance, surrender, and faithfulness. Christ-exalting living is not easy, but God promises a crown of life to those who endure.
The path downward in humility is the path upward in eternity.
