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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Self-important</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/s/self-important.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/2_timothy/3-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/s/self-important.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Self-important</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/s/self-honoured.htm" title="Self-honoured">◄</a> Self-important <a href="/topical/s/self-imposed.htm" title="Self-imposed">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#web" title="Webster's Dictionary">Webster's</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div><b>Definition:</b> <br>Self-importance refers to an inflated sense of one's own value or significance, often manifesting as arrogance or pride. In a biblical context, self-importance is viewed as a negative trait that stands in opposition to the humility and servitude exemplified by Jesus Christ.<br><br><b>Biblical References and Themes:</b><br><br>1. <b>Pride and Humility:</b> <br> The Bible frequently warns against pride, which is closely related to self-importance. <a href="/proverbs/16-18.htm">Proverbs 16:18</a> states, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." This verse highlights the danger of self-importance, suggesting that it leads to downfall and ruin. In contrast, humility is exalted as a virtue. <a href="/james/4-6.htm">James 4:6</a> declares, "But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'"<br><br>2. <b>The Example of Christ:</b> <br> Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example of humility. <a href="/philippians/2-5.htm">Philippians 2:5-8</a> encourages believers to adopt the mindset of Christ, who, despite being in the form of God, "made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness." This passage underscores the importance of humility and servitude over self-importance.<br><br>3. <b>Warnings Against Self-Exaltation:</b> <br> Jesus often warned against self-exaltation. In <a href="/luke/18-9.htm">Luke 18:9-14</a>, He tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee, full of self-importance, boasts of his righteousness, while the tax collector humbly asks for mercy. Jesus concludes, "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted" (<a href="/luke/18-14.htm">Luke 18:14</a>).<br><br>4. <b>Servant Leadership:</b> <br> The concept of servant leadership is central to Christian teaching and stands in stark contrast to self-importance. In <a href="/matthew/20-25.htm">Matthew 20:25-28</a>, Jesus instructs His disciples, "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."<br><br>5. <b>The Pharisees as Examples of Self-Importance:</b> <br> The Pharisees are often depicted as embodying self-importance. In <a href="/matthew/23-5.htm">Matthew 23:5-7</a>, Jesus criticizes them for their ostentatious displays of piety and desire for recognition: "They do all their deeds to be seen by men... they love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the greetings in the marketplaces, and being called Rabbi by men."<br><br>6. <b>The Call to Humility:</b> <br> Believers are called to reject self-importance and embrace humility. <a href="/romans/12-3.htm">Romans 12:3</a> advises, "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you."<br><br><b>Conclusion:</b> <br>While the Bible acknowledges the human tendency toward self-importance, it consistently calls believers to a life of humility, service, and reliance on God's grace. Through the example of Christ and the teachings of Scripture, Christians are encouraged to forsake self-exaltation and embrace a life that honors God and serves others.<a name="web" id="web"></a><div class="vheading2">Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary</div>(<I>a.</I>) Having or manifesting an exaggerated idea of one's own importance or merit.<a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/peabody/mornings_in_the_college_chapel/xxiv_the_meek.htm"><span class="l">The Meek.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Now these people, the gracious and generous,"not the <b>self</b>-<b>important</b> and<br> ostentatious,"are, according to Jesus, in the end to rule. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../christianbookshelf.org/peabody/mornings in the college chapel/xxiv the meek.htm</font><p><a href="/library/dibble/thoughts_on_missions/chapter_viii_trials_to_be.htm"><span class="l">Trials to be Met.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> They will be likely on the one hand to receive such caresses as to make them vain<br> and <b>self</b>-<b>important</b>; or, on the other hand, to be so treated as to chafe their <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter viii trials to be.htm</font><p><a href="/library/white/the_great_controversy_between_christ_and_satan_/7_luthers_separation_from_rome.htm"><span class="l">Luther's Separation from Rome.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> The Reformer, simple, humble, firm, stood up in the strength of God, having truth<br> on his side; the pope's representative, <b>self</b>-<b>important</b>, overbearing, haughty <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../7 luthers separation from rome.htm</font><p><a href="/library/allen/autobiography_of_frank_g_allen_minister_of_the_gospel/chapter_xi_he_abandons_the.htm"><span class="l">He Abandons the School-Room. Remarkable Meeting Near Alexandria. <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> congregation went to pieces. Thus a good work was destroyed by the folly<br> of two ignorant, <b>self</b>-<b>important</b> preachers. Much mischief has <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../chapter xi he abandons the.htm</font><p><a href="/library/white/the_great_controversy/chapter_7_luthers_separation_from.htm"><span class="l">Luther's Separation from Rome</span></a> <br><b>...</b> The Reformer, simple, humble, firm, stood up in the strength of God, having truth<br> on his side; the pope's representative, <b>self</b>-<b>important</b>, overbearing, haughty <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 7 luthers separation from.htm</font><p><a href="/library/spurgeon/spurgeons_sermons_volume_5_1859/satans_banquet.htm"><span class="l">Satan's Banquet</span></a> <br><b>...</b> That is the first cup the devil gives, and the good wine makes you swell with<br> <b>self</b>-<b>important</b> dignity, as its fumes enter your heart and puff it up with an <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/satans banquet.htm</font><p><a href="/library/moffat/the_general_epistles_james_peter_and_judas/the_first_epistle_of_st.htm"><span class="l">The First Epistle of St. Peter</span></a> <br>The General Epistles: James, Peter, and Judas. <. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the first epistle of st.htm</font><p><a href="/library/tolstoy/the_kingdom_of_god_is_within_you/chapter_xii_conclusionrepent_ye_for.htm"><span class="l">Conclusion --Repent Ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Andrew, or some similar nonsense, suddenly become <b>self</b>-<b>important</b>, proud, and even<br> happy, or, on the contrary, grow melancholy and unhappy to the point of <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter xii conclusionrepent ye for.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/s/self-important.htm"><span class="l"><b>Self</b>-<b>important</b> (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>Self</b>-<b>important</b>. Self-honoured, <b>Self</b>-<b>important</b>. Self-imposed . Noah Webster's<br> Dictionary <b>...</b> Multi-Version Concordance <b>Self</b>-<b>important</b> (1 Occurrence). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/self-important.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/t/treacherous.htm"><span class="l">Treacherous (34 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Macedonia. (DBY). 2 Timothy 3:4 treacherous, headstrong, <b>self</b>-<b>important</b>. They<br> will love pleasure instead of loving God, (WEY NAS RSV NIV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/t/treacherous.htm - 16k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/self-honoured.htm"><span class="l">Self-honoured (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br>Self-honoured. Self-glory, Self-honoured. <b>Self</b>-<b>important</b> . Multi-Version<br> Concordance <b>...</b> (YLT). Self-glory, Self-honoured. <b>Self</b>-<b>important</b> . Reference Bible <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/self-honoured.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/self-imposed.htm"><span class="l">Self-imposed (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br>Self-imposed. <b>Self</b>-<b>important</b>, Self-imposed. Self-indulgence . Noah Webster's<br> Dictionary <b>...</b> (WEB WEY NIV). <b>Self</b>-<b>important</b>, Self-imposed. Self-indulgence . <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/self-imposed.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/l/loving.htm"><span class="l">Loving (292 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> necessary; (BBE). 2 Timothy 3:4 treacherous, headstrong, <b>self</b>-<b>important</b>.<br> They will love pleasure instead of loving God, (WEY BBE). 2 <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/l/loving.htm - 36k</font><p><a href="/topical/i/instead.htm"><span class="l">Instead (139 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> patient, (See NIV). 2 Timothy 3:4 treacherous, headstrong, <b>self</b>-<b>important</b>. They<br> will love pleasure instead of loving God, (WEY). 2 Timothy <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/i/instead.htm - 36k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/self-esteem.html">How should a Christian view self-esteem? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-self-examination.html">What does the Bible say about self-examination? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/self-gratification-self-pleasure.html">What does the Bible say about self-gratification / self-pleasure? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Self-important (1 Occurrence)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/2_timothy/3-4.htm">2 Timothy 3:4</a></span><br />treacherous, headstrong, <span class="boldtext">self-important</span>. They will love pleasure instead of loving God,<br /><span class="source">(WEY)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/s/self-important.htm">Self-important</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/n/natures.htm">Natures (12 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/n/nazirite.htm">Nazirite (10 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/indulgence.htm">Indulgence (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/restraining.htm">Restraining (9 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/rigor.htm">Rigor (8 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/exists.htm">Exists (18 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/devotion.htm">Devotion (17 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/promoting.htm">Promoting (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/combating.htm">Combating (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/checking.htm">Checking (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/ascetic.htm">Ascetic (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/self-indulgence.htm">Self-indulgence (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/severity.htm">Severity (7 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sensual.htm">Sensual (8 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/self-important.htm">Self-important (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/rules.htm">Rules (160 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/l/lower.htm">Lower (72 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/aren't.htm">Aren't (102 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/appearance.htm">Appearance (126 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/l/lack.htm">Lack (86 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/appear.htm">Appear (111 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/abstinence.htm">Abstinence (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/false%20.htm">False (303 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/humility.htm">Humility (20 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/worship.htm">Worship (332 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/wisdom.htm">Wisdom (320 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/religion.htm">Religion (23 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/s/self-honoured.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Self-honoured"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Self-honoured" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/s/self-imposed.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Self-imposed"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Self-imposed" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>