Boasting

ByJim Stephens

Reading:  2 Corinthians 10; Psalm 35

17 As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD.”  18 When people boast about themselves, it doesn’t count for much.  The important thing is for the Lord to commend them. (2 Corinthians 10:17-18 NLT)

I’m with Paul on this one! I really don’t like to hear anyone boasting, especially if it’s me doing the boasting! The thing is, we all want to look good. We do want people to know about our achievements. And we’ve created a kind of boastful society.

In order to get noticed, we have to be bigger, better, louder, than anyone else. To get that promotion or to be hired for a job, we’ve got to polish the resume and make it shine. Businesses can’t be just good folks, selling a good product or service for a fair price, they’ve got to be 100X better than the competition! Churches can’t simply say, “Here we are. Come worship with us.” They’ve got to be bigger, hipper, more relevant, and offering more programs than the other churches to get people in the door. OK, I’m exaggerating! But not much!

We could all do with a little wisdom from Proverbs on this one.

Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth—a stranger, not your own lips. (Proverbs 27:2 NLT)

I’ll do my best. We sell a good product/service at a fair price. Give us a try. Of all the churches in town, we’re one of them! Let’s simply tell the truth and let God give the accolades when he thinks it’s time!

So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.  (1 Corinthians 4:5 NLT)

Prayer:

1 LORD, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp. 2 Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me. 3 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD—now and always. (Psalm 131 NLT) Amen!