Promotion is a common theme frequently explored in the Bible. This theme goes beyond traditional concepts of career advancement or social elevation, instead focusing on spiritual growth and maturation, and the rewards that come with faithfulness and obedience to God’s will. The Bible portrays promotion as a divine favor – a reward from God that accompanies the living by His principles and precepts.
What Does the Bible Say about Promotion?
The Bible contains numerous verses on the theme of promotion. It teaches that promotion is not the result of mankind’s efforts, but is a blessing bestowed by God. According to these verses, God is the one who lifts up and brings down. God is seen as the ultimate arbiter of mankind’s fortunes. In essence, God is shown as the one who promotes and demotes, and according to His divine plan and timing.
Why Does God Promote?
According to the Bible, promotion is a reward for faithfulness, obedience and spiritual maturation. God promotes as a form of discernment: He sees the heart and knows who is ready for more responsibility or greater blessings. God often uses trials, hardships and tribulations to refine His people before promoting them, teaching them life-changing lessons in the process. He desires to mold us into the image of His son, Jesus Christ, and this is often reflected in His decisions to promote or not to promote.
Who Gets Promoted According to the Bible?
The Bible consistently demonstrates that those who fear God, live righteously, and place their faith and trust in Him receive promotion. It is a spiritual principle that when people honor God with their lives, their lives become aligned with God’s will, and they’re favored for promotion. It’s not about one’s personal achievements or human accolades, but rather their submission and obedience to God.
When Does God Promote?
Based on Biblical teachings, God promotes when His timing is right, not our own. God’s timing for promotion is perfect and divine, not bound by human standards or expectations. His clock is set by eternal purposes and not by earthly timelines. Therefore, the Bible notes that the believer must remain patient and persistent in prayer, faith, and good deeds, and in God’s appropriate time, the promotion will come.
Where Does Promotion Come From in the Bible?
The Bible demonstrates that promotion comes from God alone. While people, circumstances, or qualifications may seem to be the immediate cause for promotion, the Bible asserts that they are simply tools in God’s hand. Promotion in the Bible is treated not as a cause, but as an effect of God’s favor. Thus, believers are encouraged to seek God’s favor above earthly favor. The Bible makes it clear that if we align ourselves with God’s plan, and live according to His will, promotion is a byproduct that will come.
How Should We Handle Promotion According to the Bible?
The Bible advises individuals to handle promotions with humility, acknowledging that it is God’s blessing and favor that brought them to higher positions. Believers are encouraged to use any position of authority or influence to serve others and advance God’s kingdom on earth. The Bible also advises against using one’s position for personal advantage, and encourages using such opportunities for the glorification of God, the service of others, and the spreading of the Gospel message.
Below is our full list of bible verses on promotion (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Promotion
Psalm 20:4
“4 Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.”
Related Themes: Birthday Heart Thankfulness Graduation
Psalm 75:7
“7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”
James 4:10
“10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
Colossians 3:23
“23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”
Related Themes: Creativity Business Attitude Laziness Money
Psalm 1:1-3
“1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
Related Themes: Reaping Frustration Reaping What You Sow Bullying Gossip
Psalm 75:6
“6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.”
1 Peter 5:6
“6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:”
Related Themes: Humility Frustration Anxiety Nervousness Love
Genesis 12:2
“2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:”
Related Themes: Favor Prosperity
Daniel 2:48
“48 Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.”
Related Themes: Education
2 Timothy 2:15
“15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Education Learning Morals Morality
Psalm 113:7
“7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;”
Daniel 3:30
“30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.”
Psalm 78:70
“70 He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:”
Philippians 4:8
“8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Related Themes: Lust Gossip Attitude Complaining
Psalm 113:7-8
“7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;8 That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.”
Psalm 113:8
“8 That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.”
Colossians 1:27
“27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”
Related Themes: Hope Pleasing God Identity Glorification
1 Chronicles 11:6
“6 And David said, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. So Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up, and was chief.”
Psalm 75:6-7
“6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”
John 4:24
“24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Worship Omnipotence Omnipresence Truth
1 Kings 11:26-35
“26 And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon’s servant, whose mother’s name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king.27 And this was the cause that he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, and repaired the breaches of the city of David his father.28 And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph.29 And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field:30 And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces:31 And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee:32 (But he shall have one tribe for my servant David’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:)33 Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.34 Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant’s sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes:35 But I will take the kingdom out of his son’s hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes.”
Isaiah 60:1
“1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.”
Related Themes: New Life Light Gold New Beginnings
Galatians 3:28
“28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Related Themes: Equality Strangers Discrimination Prejudice Culture
Habakkuk 2:4
“4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.”
Genesis 1:28
“28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”
Related Themes: Earth Children Stewardship Creativity Dominion
Daniel 2:21
“21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:”
Related Themes: Sovereignty Seasons Discernment Omnipotence Politics
John 15:7
“7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
Related Themes: Prayer Perseverance Sadness Deliverance Wishing
Hosea 4:6
“6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”
Luke 4:43
“43 And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.”
Related Themes: Preaching
Proverbs 30:8-9
“8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.”
