Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. —Proverbs 27:2
Scripture says that love does not boast (1 Cor. 13:4), nor does it parade itself. It doesn’t trumpet its own accomplishments for another to see.
Love does not talk conceitedly. This quality is really the other side of envy. Jealousy is wanting what someone else has, and boasting is trying to make others jealous of what we have.
Boasting is rooted in pride, exalting our gifts, abilities, knowledge, or accomplishments. It’s the desire to appear to be important.
Sometimes boasting takes place in obvious ways—in what we say—but a bragging heart can be revealed even in what we don’t say, like when we create a better impression of ourselves in front of others than is honestly true.
If someone says we did something that we didn’t do, we’re quick to defend ourselves. But what if somebody says we did something good and we’re not the ones who deserve the rec- ognition? Are we as quick to say, “Here’s where the credit really belongs”?
Make it Personal
Ask God to root out any pride in your heart, that you would be humble before Him and others.