Boasting & Bragging

Man with arrogant expressionI’ve never been a fan of someone who brags a lot. I’ve been around people who thought that they were “all that”.  It doesn’t take long to figure out that most of the time they are pretty prideful and puffed up. It’s hard to work with someone who thinks more highly of himself than he ought. I remember a friend of mine had some commentary about a person like that. My friend said, “If you could buy that person for what he/she’s worth and sell them for what they THINK they are worth, you could retire today!” Another quip that is a favorite: “He’s a legend in his own mind!” Bragging and boasting are not good attributes.  Paul calls it out in the church at Corinth.  Check this out….

12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 13 We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you. 14 We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ. 15 Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, 16 so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else’s territory. 17 But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. (2 Corinthians 10:12-18 NIV)

 

I think the part that jumped out to me today, is “commending us”. If I had to brag or boast about me all the time, then I’m going to really discourage relationships. No one wants to be a friend to a bragger.  As a REALTOR, I often have to differentiate myself from other REALTORS. If I have to put them down to make myself look good, I think I’ve failed. I should speak to what I can do and what I will do and let the rest take care of itself. I deeply appreciate recommendations and referrals from others. That means they are bragging on my work and my professional skills.  That kind of commendation is almost always more beneficial and real.

I’ve heard it said, “it’s not bragging if you can back it up with action”.  That sounds a whole lot like “smack talk” to me.  I don’t want to walk a thin line regarding boasting and bragging. I want to keep serving and working for the benefit of others and let my work speak for itself.

I want to brag about the Lord and what He is doing in my life. He has changed my perspective on everything. He is worth speaking about. He has saved me from myself and walked me through some deep valleys. I don’t ever want to forget what the Lord has done for me.

Pressing On!
Dwayne

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