Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant” ~1 Corinthians 13:4 (emphasis mine)
We're going to talk about ourselves today – we like to talk about ourselves – but we are going to talk about how to talk less about ourselves. Does anyone else besides me struggle in this area?
What are some ways a boastful or arrogant (prideful) attitude comes out? Let's do a little self-assessement:
Do you find yourself wanting to praise your accomplishments in the midst of a conversation?
The person you're conversing with hasn't had a moment to get a word in edgewise?
Putting down or belittling the accomplishments of others so yours appear to be more important?
Brag about your spiritual gifts?
Like to feel or appear important?
Like to seek a pat on the back for your accomplishments?
Leave a better impression with others than is true?
You have an inflated view of yourself?
Always have to be right – you have the expert opinion on everything.
Are you quick to defend your reputation?
Do you take credit when credit is really due to another?
There are many more areas we can list but I think we are on the same page on where I am headed. All of these come from a boastful and prideful heart. These do not come from a humble heart that is loving others.
Love does not boast as the verse states in 1 Corinthians 13:4. Boasting is a sin that is rooted in pride.
It is desiring to put ourselves and our accomplishments above others. It is looking out for ourselves and not putting the interest of others above ourselves.
It is desiring to put ourselves and our accomplishments above others. It is looking out for ourselves and not putting the interest of others above ourselves.
I am guilty of this more than I would like to admit – it can be subtle too. Our boasting may not seem obvious to others but we can not fool the Lord – He knows our hearts.
I don't like this sin when I see it in others but I am sure slow at dealing with it in my own life. I am thankful to be reminded that grace is for failures and I am a failure. When I catch myself in this sin I need to repent and to rely on the Lord and ask Him to fill me with His love so I can love others as He does.
Love does not sing its own praises. It doesn't boast about its own successes. In Christ I have nothing to boast about because God has done it through me. If I am to boast it must be to boast in the Lord.
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.
Galatians 6:14
Next time you find yourself about to boast – take a moment and pray. Be reminded that Jesus never boasted – he had no reputation and humbled himself.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:5-8
Give credit where credit is really due – to the Lord. Take the time to be interested in others. Ask them questions about themselves. Try not to always talk about yourself. Don't always have to have a story to share about a similar situation. If you learned something from someone, give that person the credit.
Love builds others up – Arrogance builds me up.
People who you love to be around are highly relational, they are humble people. They are not always talking about themselves. They are putting the needs of others above themselves. It is the attitude of John the Baptist when he said, “He must increase, I must decrease.” (John 3:30)
I am praying today for the Lord to continue to tear down the sin of boasting and arrogance in my heart and to give me a heart that lifts up others and a heart that boasts only in the Lord.
