Boast

This word is a bit repulsive to me, but if I’m not careful, I can boast with the best of them. Boast means to speak with exaggeration and excessive pride. (I would argue that speaking with any pride is spiritually unhealthy.) Boasting is usually drawing attention to me. It can also be called bragging. I remember someone telling me that “it ain’t bragging if it’s true”.  Boasting and bragging are very self-centered. People who boast are taking the credit for whatever skill, gift or success that they experience.

I believe the Lord really hates boasting. In fact, He speaks clearly about it in His Word. Jeremiah called out the people of Israel and Judah regarding their boasting. Check this out….

²³ This is what the Lord says:
“Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom,
    or the powerful boast in their power,
    or the rich boast in their riches.
²⁴ But those who wish to boast
    should boast in this alone:
that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord
    who demonstrates unfailing love
    and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth,
and that I delight in these things.
    I, the Lord, have spoken! (Jeremiah 9:23-24 NLT)

I don’t like being around people who boast or are super prideful.

I enjoy being around humble people who give the Lord honor for any success or authority that they’ve been given.

I believe pride and boasting is super destructive to all relationships. If people are boasting around each other, they will always try to “one-up” the other person. The opposite of pride and boasting is humility. Humility is not self-degradation. Humility is knowing Who is responsible for any success or authority that is given. I see the Lord as in charge of this world. He has all power and all authority. He can remove someone from power very quickly. He can humble people who boast in their riches. I know wealthy people who trust the Lord and are full of joy. I know wealthy people who are miserable even though they are rich. Their life is hollow without the Lord dwelling there and their relationships are shallow.

I simply want to know the Lord more fully and somehow grasp the depth of His Love, His Mercy and His AMAZING Grace. I want to be known as someone whose heart belongs to the Lord and therefore I can display His love with my life. I’m certainly NOT perfect. I am profoundly grateful for His Patience and His Presence as I navigate this life. If I have anything or if I have any influence or wealth, it is because He has my heart. My success is more dependent upon His Presence in me than any education or experience that I might bring to the table. I want to boast and brag about The Lord – Only Him.

Paul says it quite well:  ²⁷ Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. (Romans 3:27 NLT)

Pressing On!

Dwayne