Continuing our series on love by Pastor Wendall Ward, we are looking at boasting. You don’t have to look hard to find boasting in the world around us. But do we also see it among Christians, and in the church?
The essence of “boasting” is to “talk proudly about deeds or abilities. It includes a manner that shows too much pride or satisfaction.” This is especially true with regard to ourselves or someone close to us. There is a fine line between affirmation and boasting.
The Subtlety of Boasting
The church has gradually turned up the volume on self-affirmation. Now affirmations are good, but not to the point that, in some respects, it reaches the level of boasting. Among Christians, it is usually more subtle than the crassness one usually associates with boasting.
Boasting in the Last Age
Boasting is one of the fleshly characteristics of self-love. Mentioned as one quality that will express itself in the church throughout the last age of God’s redemptive history (2 Timothy 3; Colossians 1:20). It is evidence that the unholy trinity of “me, myself and I” is ruling the human heart.
The Antidote for Boasting
The scriptures say we are to love God and love our neighbors “as ourselves”. Healthy, biblical self-love begins in the recognition that we are loved and have been redeemed by God’s grace. It is directly tethered to who and what God has created us to be . Then it is joined with our willingness to agree WITH HIM. It is not dependent upon the affirmation of others. Derived from an independent, unending source –God’s love poured into and out from our hearts (Romans 5:5).
The Witness of the Holy Spirit
Yes, we are to “encourage one another” as we walk together in this life. But our greatest strength will come when we learn to draw the soul’s satisfaction from the fact that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made”. And that we have been chosen by God to be part of something bigger than ourselves. Only the Holy Spirit can help us to “know it well” and express it in a healthy, balanced manner. The internal witness of the Holy Spirit will help us to see ourselves as God sees us.
That view will then lead us to the inner affirmations of that truth. As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.” When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them” (2 Cor 10:17-18 NLT). To that end we will we boast in Christ and go no further.
Be sure to read our other blogs in the series. #1 https://bethewordministry.com/love-is-patient/ #2 https://bethewordministry.com/love-is-kind/ #3https://bethewordministry.com/love-does-not-envy/