Boasting is the act of 'showing off'. It is the desire for attention. Boasting occurs when an individual wants recognition. It stems from pride; which is the mentality that I have accomplished something that deserves recognition. It is gaining fulfillment and feeling self-actualized because of personal performance and/or talent. Pride comes when an individual defines their worth by their own ability.
Boasting often looks like confidence, but in fact it is only a manifestation of deep insecurity. When someone boasts, they are revealing that they feel the need to be validated for their achievements. Pride is about building up personal image, it is rooted in the fear of man, and therefore is driven by the opinions and expectations of others. Pride only exists in the realm of comparison, where someone feels gratified by being 'better' or 'different' than other people.
The world lifts up self actualization. There are hundreds of articles written about the defining characteristics of introverts and extroverts, about personality types, and emotional pre-dispositions. Articles like '10 Problems Only Tall People Will Understand', or '5 Steps To Reach Your Full Potential'. Although we are meant to feel comfortable in our own skin, how we grow into personal freedom isn't through the self-centered justification. Although, personality tests, and articles can be helpful in gaining perspective, we will not find personal freedom by primarily focusing on ourselves.
The scriptures show that it is when we fix our eyes on Jesus that we realize who we actually are. It is when we are focused on Him that we are set free to be ourselves (1 Corinthians 3). The greater capacity that we have to see Him in all of our situations defines our capacity to relate freely in them.
When we see Jesus and realize what He accomplished for humanity, our petty concerns, irrational expectations, and fear of man strip away as we gain an eternal perspective. When we are satisfied in Him, we don't look for fulfillment from the world. We are set free to live in the world but not be of it. We are free to enjoy the pleasures of living without being controlled by them. We grasp hold of life in all its complexities rather than being tossed to and fro by the winds of circumstance.
Pride is self-focused, it is rooted in insecurity. And boasting is what is verbally produced out of a prideful heart. Pride causes us to boast in ourselves. We talk up our experiences, our wisdom, our accomplishments, so that we can feel fulfilled in comparison to those around us. Eyes that see Jesus on the other hand live from fulfillment rather than towards it. Psalm 23 begins with, 'The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." Shall not want! What? That seems impossible huh?
It is possible to live a life of pure bliss, of supernatural satisfaction, divine complacency. Hebrews 4 says that we can rest from our works just as God has rested from His. We can function in life from a place of wholeness where we are free to love, laugh, and bless; rather than living from anxiety and dissatisfaction. The flavor of faith is joy, hope, and peace that is above circumstance and reason.
Pride ceases to exist when we see Jesus in truth.
Read the following scriptures, the meaning of life has been revealed, discover the mystery that is Christ!
"Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life (2 Corinthians 3:4-6)."
"God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. Therefore, as it is written; 'Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:28-31)."
"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:11-13)."
What is the secret?
"I resolved to know nothing but Christ and Him Crucified 1 Corinthians 2:2)."
Look to Jesus and you lose sight of everything else. Lose sight of yourself and we will be free to live as you were created to be!
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longe rlive, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20)
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