Pet Peeve – Boasting
One of my pet peeves is boasting. Boasting is a trait for which I have little tolerance and most especially in Christians. Pride is the root of boasting. Mankind seeks honor and recognition. Boasting is an ugly characteristic in human nature and is more obnoxious in Christians. Our Lord spent much time drawing attention to this trait.
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know
what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in
secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
(Mat 6:3-4 ESV)
Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for this very concept. They fasted in such a way so that man would know they were fasting (Matthew 6:16). They loved honor and the best seats in the synagogues (Matthew 23:6).
They sought honor and recognition. Christians are not as blatant as the Pharisees but certainly is not a trait that is excluded from Christian life. Christians talk about their service to the Lord. There is no need to make known what service we are providing in idle chatter. We are not to go around talking about or showing our possessions, we are not to condescend another, nor are we to boast about our accomplishments.
Boasting serves no purpose but to draw attention to ourselves. We should not need the approval of others. We are not to show off. Boastfulness is claiming that through our own will or power, we are greater over the person whom we are boasting to. We seek to impress with what we have, our accomplishments or how godly we are by our service. Boasting is a form of conceit and turns the attention towards ourselves. We seek to elevate ourselves with boasting.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant
(1Co 13:4 ESV)
Boasting in a Christian is ugly and self serving. Boasting, arrogance and condescending attitudes or actions are opposed to what Christ taught and modeled for us. It has no place in the life of a Christian. Boasting has no purpose except to inflate one’s ego.
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