(The following is the August 11 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read 2 Corinthians 10 and pay close attention to verses 12-18.)
Do you enjoy being around boastful people? Probably not. Understandably, people express satisfaction with personal successes, but to draw attention to oneself repeatedly comes off as being self-centered. We are more accepting when people brag about others. For example, parents and grandparents talking about their children or grandchildren is more well-received. We understand the motive as ordinary human love for the other person discussed.
Christians should realize we have no cause to boast about spiritual matters. We have failed our Lord countless times and will do so again. Our sin negates any right to brag about ourselves spiritually. Instead, Paul reminds us, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (v. 17). Paul echoed Jeremiah, who wrote: “This is what the Lord says: The wise person should not boast in his wisdom; the strong should not boast in his strength; the wealthy should not boast in his wealth. But the one who boasts should boast in this: that he understands and knows me – that I am the Lord, showing faithful love, justice, and righteousness on the earth, for I delight in these things” (Jer. 9:23-24).
Any good that the Lord accomplishes for his kingdom through us is attributable to him. He alone is perfect. He deserves praise and glory for who he is, what he has done, is doing, and promises to do. As Christians, we have an opportunity to boast in the only One who deserves it – God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Next Step:
Can you recall a time when you boasted inappropriately before others? When did you last boast to someone about Christ? What would you say in praise of him, and to whom would you say it?