Jeremiah
July 20
Jeremiah 9:23-24
Don’t boast
This is what the Lord said through his prophet Jeremiah. “The wise should not be proud of their wisdom, nor the strong show off their strength, neither should the rich boast about their wealth. If someone wants to boast, it should be about knowing and understanding Me, because My love does not change from day to day, and I do what is fair and right. These are the things that please Me.
I, the Lord, have told you this!”
Why is pride such a problem?
The Bible says that we should not think more highly of ourselves than we ought (Romans 12:3).
On the one hand we should never think of ourselves as worthless, ugly, or good-for-nothing. We are made in the likeness of God, which means that we are His beautiful, precious children with special abilities He has given each of us. God wants us to feel good about ourselves—to love and accept ourselves (Galatians 5:14) because when we do, others can see the beauty of Jesus in us.
On the other hand, if there is one thing God hates, it is pride—the sin of believing that what we are and what we have comes by our own strength, ability and cleverness (Proverbs 16:5). Proud thoughts will grow in your mind if you allow a proud attitude to take root in your heart.
- Do not boast by what you say (words): Boastful words are a sure way to chase away friends and make a fool of yourself!
- Do not boast by what you do (actions): Boastful actions lead to foolish bravery that can cause harm and injury.
- Do not boast by what you think (attitude): A boastful attitude is the worst kind of pride because it is a way of telling God that you don’t need Him.
Verse for today
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14
