Boasting Okay

It is okay to boast when the boast is in the Lord and not in ourselves or in what we may have or what we have accomplished.

“Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God.” (Psalm 20:7)

Most people boast so they can build themselves up. They want people to look friendly upon them; to think of them as successful, and so they boast on what they’ve been able to accomplish.

This is the way of humanity. Humanity has always been about self and trusting in itself.

A German proverb says, “Mules are always boasting that their ancestors were horses.”

While we may boast to build up our self-esteem, what we really should be boasting in is the Lord, to build up God, so to speak, and what He has done in our lives.

If anyone had a right to be boastful, it would have been the Apostle Paul. He was “circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.” (Philippians 3:5-6)

But he knew that this was nothing when compared to having Jesus Christ in his life.

“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.” (Philippians 3:7)

And so if we’re going to boast, let’s boast in how the Lord gave us that job promotion, how He gave us the finances to buy that car or house, and how He gave to us our gifts and talents to use in His ministry.

Let our boast be in the Lord and His power not only to provide, but also to save.

“Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me.” (Romans 15:17-18a)