Boasting

August 22

Job 25-27

Psalm 95:1-5

Proverbs 21:1-2

2 Corinthians 10

Boasting

“But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord.  For it is not the one who commends himself that is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.”  2 Corinthians 10:17-18 LSB

In this passage, Paul is quoting from Jeremiah 9:23-24, “Thus says Yahweh, ‘Let not a wise man boast in his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast in his might; let not a rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understand and knows Me, that I am Yahweh who shows lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,’ declares Yahweh.”  LSB  The wise person knows that everything they have and everything they are is from God and a result of His grace and mercy on their lives.  Their abilities, achievements, talents, and gifts all come from Him.  His blessings are not a result of any merit on our part but are purely based on His love and faithfulness to us.  In this passage, Paul was addressing those in the Corinthian church who were questioning his authority and message.  He was not interested in getting into a battle over bragging rights.  His message to them, that is also applicable to us today, was that they should remember that all glory should go to God for anything that happens in their life.  They need to focus on bringing glory to Him and not worry about getting any of the credit themselves. 

Jesus explains this principle in Luke 14:8-11, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not recline at the place of honor, lest someone more highly regarded than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then in shame you proceed to occupy the last place.  But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher,’  then you will have honor in the sight of all who recline at the table with you.  For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”  LSB  Solomon also gives this advice, “Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.”  Proverbs 27:2 NIV  The world encourages us to be proud of ourselves, and “toot our own horn,” but that is contrary to God’s Word.  The Bible is filled with verses about the dangers of pride.  (Proverbs 11:2, 16:5, 18, 29:23, James 4:6, Isaiah 2:12) Pride is harmful to our relationship with God.  Failure to realistically evaluate our position before God can result in our destruction.  The first step to being in right relationship with God is humility.  Pride is also damaging to our relationships with other people.  No one wants to be around a braggart.  The best thing we can do is keep our eyes on Jesus and seek to glorify Him with our lives.  Seek to please Him and don’t worry about what other people think about you.  He is the One who matters the most.