What is boasting?

According to Merriam-Webster, boasting is defined as, “to speak with exaggeration and excessive pride, especially about oneself.” Unfortunately, many people struggle with self-boasting, present company included. It happens so quickly and easily.

There are occasions where our insecurities and desire to prove something to someone, get the better of us. It starts innocent enough, maybe simply telling a story. Suddenly, pride rears its ugly head and we start talking more about ourselves than what’s really important.

Consider the following passage from 2 Corinthians.

“We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you. We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ. Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else’s territory. But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” (2 Cor. 10:12-18)

Clearly, from this passage, self-boasting is not beneficial for anyone, most of all, ourselves. However, when we consider how we could be boasting in the Lord, the concept of one’s testimony is a fitting example.

The Personal Testimony

A personal testimony is sometimes described as someone’s God story. Who doesn’t love a great story? Furthermore, one mixed with the miraculous ways of God’s sovereign hand drawing people to Himself is truly incredible! It’s revitalizing for us to hear the way He plans and prepares people for His kingdom.

When someone explains how they reached the point of understanding, turned from their previous life, and accepted the gift of eternal salvation through Christ, we hang on to every word. Often their story flows through a series of events that are all connected, but not clear until after salvation. After accepting Christ, they see how God’s Holy Spirit was always there, guiding them through the journey.

Have you told someone your story?

Maybe simply start it with a question like, “Do you want to hear a story?” Perhaps be more specific like, “Do you want to hear about the day that my life changed?” Or maybe, “Do you want to hear about the event that changed my life?“

Keep in mind that everyone enjoys a good story. It’s not like we have to go through the Romans Road after we tell our story. We can simply boast about what the Lord has done in our lives and let our testimony (our story) speak for itself.

The Holy Spirit will move and our boasting in the Lord may just have been a key piece in bringing someone one step closer to having a story of their own.

Join the Conversation, Leave Your Thoughts

• When was the last time you took the time to boast in the Lord?
• When was the last time you told someone your God story?