Why do people brag? Well, it could be for several reasons:

• Some people brag to make others feel “less than.”
• Some brag to make sure everyone knows of their accomplishments.
• Some do the humblebrag thing – pretending to be modest.
• Some brag to hide their insecurities and lack of self-confidence.
• And some actually don’t realize they’re bragging!

In his encouraging letter to the Philippians, Paul insists that we are to place no confidence in the flesh –

we’re not to brag about ourselves, especially are we not to brag about our superior spirituality. And

then he proceeds to list reasons he could boast, if he chose to do so:

• Circumcised when I was eight days old
• Of the nation of Israel
• Of the tribe of Benjamin
• A Hebrew of the Hebrews
• As to the [observance of the] Law, a Pharisee
• As to my zeal, a persecutor of the church
• As to righteousness [supposed right living] which [my fellow Jews believe] is in the Law, I proved myself blameless (Philippians 2:5-6 Amp)

He points out that IF he was pursuing salvation by works (which he wasn’t), these are some things he

might mention. But he knew that if there was someone at the entrance to heaven – perhaps an angel

with a heavenly clipboard – those attributes would not measure up to the standards of heaven. You can

just imagine that angel looking at the clipboard after Paul named each item on his list and saying, “Nope,

that won’t get you in. Sorry!”

This is what Paul knew and you and I know: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that

not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

We have no reason to boast except in what Christ has done for us – the gift of salvation – and the

privilege we have of knowing God. Jeremiah gives us the go-ahead on that kind of bragging in this

passage:

Thus says the Lord:

“Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,

Let not the mighty man glory in his might,

Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;

But let him who glories glory in this,

That he understands and knows Me,

That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.

For in these I delight,” says the Lord (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

So… let’s get in the habit of doing the right kind of boasting, boasting about knowing God – and seeking

to help others do the same, thereby delighting the heart of God.

By Judy Shrout