The Folly of Boasting

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise
man boast in his wisdom, let not
the mighty man boast in his might, let
not the rich man boast in his riches,
but let him who boasts boast in this,
that he understands and knows Me,
that I am the Lord who practices
steadfast love, justice, and righteousness
in the earth. For in these things I delight,
declares the Lord.”
Jeremiah 9:23,24 (NASV)

BOASTING: excessive pride and self satisfaction about ones achievements, possessions or abilities and making those things known to anyone who will listen ad nauseum.

When young, even in my teen days, I can't say I ever heard the word “boasting” very much. The word we often used was the word “bragging.” Somehow, “boasting” sounds so pompous. Even back then, there were those in high school and college who didn't hesitate to brag about possessions, family backgrounds, accomplishments of various sorts or even their own good looks. (By the way, attend a high school class reunion and you'll find when it comes to bragging, nothing has changed with the same people.) Much of that came as a result of immaturity, because we all did and said a lot of things in those days that stemmed from the fact that we just hadn't grown up yet.

Probably the bragging I've enjoyed most during the years is when proud grandparents pull out pictures of their grandchildren. I wish I had a dollar for every picture I've looked at and doted on along with friends of children or grandchildren. Most of us have been there. We've also endured the vacation pictures of other folks who had the privilege of going places we only dreamed of. For me, they are usually fun to see.

My first week in a Christian college was an eye-opener in many respects. One of the main reasons for that was that I was in a new environment where there was more emphasis on the things of God than I had ever known. It was (and for all I know, still is) a very caring and friendly place. I loved it from the very beginning. However, I soon learned that there were those beyond the freshman year who didn't hide the fact that they were working very hard to appear to we Freshmen to be the Christian leaders of the campus. As it turned out, some were and some weren't.

We “newbies” were cautioned about one young man, a sophomore, always with a huge Bible under his arm, doing all he could to amass his own group of followers. The main way he won some naïve ones was through his bragging tactics. He didn't hesitate telling people how well he knew the Bible, how far he had come in the Christian life, how he had a high percentage of answers to prayer, etc. Who wouldn't want to be around that person? After all, think of all we could learn being around someone like that. I think the only time in my life when I truly doubted my salvation was after being around that young man for a time. I fortunately felt very led to find other means of spiritual influence in my life. That guy appeared to be a spiritual icon, at least in his own eyes. In the process, some of us felt put down and inferior both of which can cause a certain amount of doubts about things in general.

The people of Jeremiah's day were greatly disturbed when Jeremiah prophesied the coming siege of their city. The people thought they had so much going for them that surely the destruction of their city was impossible...just couldn't happen. They were quick to mention their wisdom, riches, and physical strength that would be a means of defeating any enemy. It's interesting that in our country today, we have the same boastful attitude in thinking our country can't be touched by invasion. We tend to rely on the wisdom of the wise, the money, stocks, etc. of the wealthy, and our military might. We can boast of those things all we want, but God is more powerful than those things as well as over any enemy that would do us harm. Surely we have learned since 9/11 and other terrorist attacks that we are vulnerable. Our country has seen high unemployment, tragic weather events and negative events regarding the economy in general. For the most part, we have lost all bragging rights. We have strayed far from a loving God and He will not take second place in our lives or in our country.

If the people of Jeremiah's day thought the Lord would be impressed with all they had to offer in defense of themselves, He was quick to correct their attitudes. He stated He wanted the people to boast in Him and then God gave them a list. They were to boast in the fact that they understood and knew God. He wanted them to brag on the fact that as the Lord, He exercised loving kindness, judgment and righteousness toward them. God as much as said that if the people were going to boast, then boast in those things that delight Him. God desires the same of us. Lest we feel too secure in everything that surrounds us, we must take heed lest God visit our country as he did those boastful people in those former days.

When all is said and done, you and I have absolutely nothing in this world of which to boast. God wants us to be happy people just as we as parents want our children to be happy. We know though that we won't always be happy people. Events in our lives won't always contribute to feel-good emotions. However, we can find our joy in the fact that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17) Every single thing we have been given and own, even the very breath we breathe is from God Himself. Good health, job, precious children, roof over our heads, there is nothing we have that can be separated from His generosity in our lives. We have nothing to boast of when our Heavenly Father has seen to our every need, and often to our many wants and desires. It is all of Him...we cannot boast. The first words from our mouths should be words of praise for God's goodness to us in every facet of our lives.

So God says through Jeremiah that we can boast in our relationship with God and the privilege of knowing Him. We can also boast in God's practice of love, justice and righteousness in our lives. Most bragging focuses on self...how about we do a whole lot of boasting in God, in our Saviour Jesus and in the Holy Spirit who indwells, teaches and leads us every moment of every day.

Dear Father, You are too wonderful to be described. There is no way we can list every goodness You bring into our lives. Above all is Your gift of Jesus who is our Way, Truth and Life. Thank You Holy Spirit for your presence and leadership in our lives. Father, we praise You in these moments for You being Who You are every moment of every day.. In Jesus precious name....Amen