T
HE BATTLE WITH BOASTINGA Meditation on Boasting from the Book of Proverbs (and others)
The following are issues related to the tongue that the book of Proverbs addresses: Slander, gossip, boasting, lying, flattery, dissension, quarreling, hurtful joking, tattling and venting. It also talks about words that are wise, foolish, gracious, crooked, deceptive, gentle, harsh, as well as words that contain or conceal hatred and violence, words that are a fountain of life, words that pierce like a sword and words that bring healing. And, believe it or not, there are others. The sheer volume of verses that mention our speech clearly indicates that this is a serious facet of the Christian life.
Here we want to address boasting or bragging. When I was a young kid few celebrities were more inclined to strut their stuff than the heavy weight boxing champion of the world Muhammad Ali. In my head, I can still hear him saying with his distinct accent, “I am the greatest.” Such boasting is nauseating. Proverbs 27:2 says, “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” We live in a culture that says, “Sell yourself… promote yourself…praise yourself.” As Christians we should feel very uncomfortable talking about how talented and gifted we are, even if it may be necessary at times, like at a job interview.
Why are we such an arrogant, boasting people? We may be a little more subtle than Muhammad Ali, yet we know how to drop hints to let others know how great we are. We tell stories where we’re the hero…the hard worker…the smart one. We talk about the good deal we got on our new car. Why don’t we ever talk about how foolish we were to spend so much money for our new car? When was the last time you heard somebody admit that they got ripped off or taken advantage of? It’s been a while hasn’t it? Why? You know why, because that could make a person look bad. Isn’t one of our greatest fears, the fear that others will not think too highly of us? Interestingly, the apostle Paul had the exact opposite concern. He said, “Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say” (2 Cor. 12:6, NIV). You know your battle with boasting is under control, when you fear that others may think more highly of you than is appropriate.
Assuming that maybe—just maybe—you have a little boasting to deal with in your life, how can you (and I) overcome this sin that is so repulsive to others, as well as to God? Consider three suggestions.
For starters, it helps to recognize that absolutely everything that we have, do and are is because of God’s grace and goodness. “What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” (1 Cor. 4:7). This verse is one verse among thousands that supports my Calvinism. I’m a Calvinist, because the Bible teaches that all we have comes from the hand of a sovereign God, including our repentance and faith in Christ. Yes, we are commanded to repent and believe, but Scripture is equally clear that it is God who grants repentance (2 Tim. 2:24-26; Acts 5:31) and faith (Phil. 1:29, Eph. 2:8-9). If you were personally responsible for the origin of your repentance and faith, then we could expect the church to gather around you, pat you on the back and sing praises to your name for being so intelligent, while so many other dummies in the world aren’t bright enough to repent and believe in Christ. Of course we all know this is absurd, but why? Because it is God who grants repentance and faith, and thus deserves all the glory.
Second, boast in your weaknesses. Paul said, “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weaknesses” (2 Cor. 11:30). It’s another paradox of the Christian life that our weaknesses result in strength. “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me…For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:9-10). Ironically, some Christians are anemic, because they’re so strong.
Finally, boast in the Lord, and in what he has done. “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Gal. 6:14). One time I was talking to a girl who was partying too much. I told her that I used to live like that, until I turned to Christ. She said, “You just grew up and got your act together.” I confessed that I tried to get my act together, but I couldn’t do it, until I cried out to God.
God has made Christ “our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, ‘Let him who boast, boast in the Lord.’” (1 Cor. 1:30-31).
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