Should Christians Brag?
Love does not boast. The famous words written to the Corinthians.
Let’s face it, many people struggle with this…
Why is boasting so bad? Because what happens to other people when you boast? Boast simply means brag…
I think most people have met someone that likes to brag about themselves or their accomplishments.
Why is bragging a sin? Well, what happens when you brag?
Well, imagine you are standing in a conversation and someone says; I just got a awesome promotion, I got a raise to $80k a year! Instantly, you remember how you got a raise two months ago and now make $100k a year! And chime in…”oh that’s nothing! I made $20k more than that…pshhhh”
what you have done is raised yourself, and made someone feel low. Essentially by doing that you cause, envy, jealousy, anger, hate…and eventually your brothers to stumble!
I catch myself constantly talking about myself, and I have to remind myself that I am no better than anyone else! I have to remind myself that no one likes a show off! I struggle with this more than most do…
How many of you have been around someone, that the minute you see them they instantly jump into a speech about how great their life is? Let’s face it all of us have.
Why do people do that? Well…because they assume that by doing so they can impress others, and for others to think higher of you. That wow moment!
We are naturally drawn to flaunt our talents. Flaunt what we’ve accomplished! We always try and prove people wrong, and by a means of arrogance not success.
You have to admit that in the Russian culture it’s quite normal for there to be a competition of who makes more money, who’s car is nicer, who’s house is bigger, who’s more educated! Sadly, even amongst the brethren, who has more spiritual gifts!
Interesting fact, the human mind does not acknowledge pride! So when a person is proud, often times he isn’t even aware of it. Our nature, our natural state always justifies our actions. Which essentially is Satan helping you justify sin. When we get closer to Christ the Holy Spirit will convict us of pride, but we must be willing to admit we are proud!
We all want to be heard, we all want to be acknowledged. But we have to have the right motives…we have to remember that everything we do in this life shouldn’t be to show off in front of people, but just do things as if Gods the only one watching. Which, in that sense, there’s no reason to show off!
I bring this up, because I often see many doing this, and I often catch myself like this! Self awareness is half the battle! Most aren’t aware, and most won’t admit!
