Have you known a person who constantly brags about themselves? This is someone that dominates most of their conversations with painting themselves in the best possible light. They twist the facts and distort the truth, so they come out looking like a hero every time. I personally know someone like this. She talks constantly about the countless men who, according to her, would give their right arm to be in her company. Seeing them as googly-eyed puppets who are willing to stumble over themselves to be at her beck and call, she believes she can captivate any man with her feminine appeal. Not a conversation goes by without her touting her accomplishments, and she isn’t shy about letting everyone know that her standards for a potential partner are very high.
A “regular joe” wouldn’t have a chance with her. In her words, “I’ve worked too hard to get to where I am. Any man that steps to me has to have his stuff together. If not, he shouldn’t even bother talking to me.” This isn’t an expression or attitude that signifies our new nature in Christ. It’s a mindset and attitude of the old nature, the one where arrogance is a mask for insecurity. I, for one, have heard it quite a few times before. Even as young girls, some of us were taught to have high standards and to carry ourselves in a way that makes our mothers proud. But there is a difference between having self-worth and thinking another person’s worth is beneath yours for any reason. If we want the more than abundant life that Jesus Christ made available, we can’t afford to continue nurturing characteristics within our own personhood that keep our faith from producing results.
As a believer, a habit pattern of making ourselves the focus and judging others, especially men, based on social or economic status, just doesn’t send the right message about our faith. Jesus Christ teaches us to be of service to others, to be especially good to the household of faith, and to love and treat others as well as we love and treat ourselves. We must be so careful not to get stuck in behaviors and attitudes that put the love of Christ on the backburner. When we do this, we’re allowing self-love to be in the driver’s seat, and this is a seat that should be reserved only for Christ.
Jesus Christ said in John 15:5(NLT), “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” You and I can’t do anything by ourselves. Every move we make is because we’ve been empowered by God to make it. He wants us to have healthy self-esteem, but the purpose of it is to build our confidence in Him. It’s not to think that we have any power over another individual. Nor do we have the right to put anyone down or elevate them based on their level of success or failure in life. Psalm 75:6 tells us that God is the only One that can promote and elevate. If someone has garnered any level of success in life, it is only because of God’s grace.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NLT) tells us, “23 This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. 24 But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken! The only thing worth bragging about is knowing the One True God and knowing the fullness of His tremendous, unconditional love!
When a person feels the need to boast or brag about their own accomplishments obsessively, it is sometimes a cover-up for their own insecurities. They don’t know God through the person of Jesus Christ as well as they should, and they haven’t yet discovered who they are through Christ. Maintaining a solid relationship and preparing for marriage require commitment and humility. Our significant relationship with a destiny partner must be built on God’s unfailing love. Heavenly Father is the One that deserves all the boasting and praise, not us. When we learn this lesson, we will honor God and have a quality relationship that is centered on the love of Christ and built on faith in the One who has all power in His hands. ■
“Bragging Is Just A Cover-up” written by Kim Times, edited by Reverend Fran Mack for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2019. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.