Boasting

[aspen]

The sin of pride usually described in the form of boasting is soundly condemned throughout the Bible, especially by Paul. It is interesting that our culture does not seem to share this ideal, in fact, we appear to revel in worldliness as no other culture has since Rome. Why is it then that we are so quick to point out and condemn all the sins Paul used simply to illustrate worldliness, without getting his point? Stop being proud of your worldliness! Stop condemning - stop being inhospitable to your neighbors - stop acquiring things and start focusing on loving God and your neighbor.

I think Paul's writings have become notorious in some Christian circles as being judgmental because when we read his letters we are missing the forest for the trees, so to speak. Paul's point is always stop boasting / start loving - all the sins he mentions are used to illustrate this greater point.

How should we interpret Paul's writings?

How can we practice humility in opposition to our culture?

 

[wwjd_kilden]

by putting others before ourselves (without that going against our Christian values)

 

[Mal316]

Good post, Aspen.

And I agree with wwjd_kilden, put others before ourselves.

If we would boast, we should not boast in our wisdom or strength or riches, but rather that we know and understand God, Who exercises kindness, righteousness and justice. Jeremiah 9:23-24.

 

[loveschild]

Its better to jump down off the soap box than to have God knock you down off of it.

 

[resurrection33]

I think the problem of pride goes much deeper than just boasting. I think more serious manifestations are power mongering and social climbing, to name a couple. Adolf Hitler would be, perhaps, the ultimate example of this.

 

[glenwood74]

Paul's letters are absolutely awesome! I probably identify with them more than any other books from the bible, because Paul was transformed by God from sinner to saint, and I can identify with that type of radical transformation. Jesus did NOT appear before me and blind me for three days, but He did touch my spirit with His Love and change my life forever. I love Paul's preaching for it's conviction and call to Love and humility. I think it is very important, and that's why the Holy Spirit placed that message in Paul's heart so passionately. We must remember that Paul was speaking by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so we can't fault him for being judgmental if he was simply obeying the Spirit of Truth.

Practicing humility is made difficult by this materialistic world, but I try to remember Paul's words, 'think of others as better than yourself.' I also try to remember that where my treasures is, there also will my heart and thoughts.

 

[aspen]

I think the problem of pride goes much deeper than just boasting. I think more serious manifestations are power mongering and social climbing, to name a couple. Adolf Hitler would be, perhaps, the ultimate example of this.

You are right, but boasting seems to be the permission people use to continue and even develop the path of worldliness they happen to be pursuing. Hollywood stars do not come right out and boast, because they are required to display false humility in our culture in order to be rewarded with fame; however, their excessive lifestyle reflects their morality without shame - this is the boasting about worldly morality that Paul is getting at and we seem to be missing.

So, if our culture fails to recognize the excess of our time is the same reflection of worldly morality (consumerism) as Paul is talking about when he lists specific sins of his time, which reflect Pagan morality; we may mistakenly condemn the homosexuality of his day, while completely missing our own version of worldliness. And the very act of missing it or not taking it seriously is exactly what Paul means when he uses the word boasting.

Now, I understand that sin is sin, but Paul is not addressing specific sins in his letters in order to condemn the behaviors; instead, he is using them as examples - as underlying support for the worldliness of his culture. He is also pointing out that the church is guilty of boasting (accepting) this morality reflected by the sinful behavior.

I believe Paul is trying to get to the root of the problem rather than treating the symptoms. Our version of his letter might be; "Hey you guys, stop insisting on presenting a flashy service every Sunday - it is reflecting our consumeristic culture, rather than our real concerns about the poor".

I hope this makes sense.

 

[aspen]

If we would boast, we should not boast in our wisdom or strength or riches, but rather that we know and understand God, Who exercises kindness, righteousness and justice.

I think Paul's point here is - if you are you are going to embrace social norms, embrace God's norms not worldly norms.

I think we misunderstand this verse when we interpret it as "Hey, make sure you are always bragging about what God is doing in your life - that will prove to others that you are a real Christian."

 

[giantone]

If we boast, it should be about how good and powerful God is and all God has done for us. When were prideful we are looking at how good or powerful we are and what we do and have.

Sometimes pride takes different outward forms that don't look like pride at the first glance. People sometimes wrongly feel like they have to be perfect and when they aren't they beat themselves up over it and run away from God until there good enough (or think they are good enough), I think thats a form of pride. But God is patient and His kindness leads to repentance. (I do that sometimes)

 

[aspen]

If we boast, it should be about how good and powerful God is and all God has done for us. When were prideful we are looking at how good or powerful we are and what we do and have.

It seems to me that boasting, itself is a prideful behavior. Paul was being absurd to make a point - a contemporary example might be telling a kid who keeps sneaking out of his room at night, 'if you are going to sneak out of your room at night, go down to the soup kitchen and volunteer - don't meet up with your friends.' The message is not meant to be taken literally.

 

[resurrection33]

If we boast, it should be about how good and powerful God is and all God has done for us. When were prideful we are looking at how good or powerful we are and what we do and have.

Sometimes pride takes different outward forms that don't look like pride at the first glance. People sometimes wrongly feel like they have to be perfect and when they aren't they beat themselves up over it and run away from God until there good enough (or think they are good enough), I think thats a form of pride. But God is patient and His kindness leads to repentance. (I do that sometimes)

I would say that there is perfect and then there is perfect. Check this out:

You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matt 5:48 RSV

We all make minor errors of judgment. We do, I think, have to strive to be perfect in the more important matters.

 

[giantone]

I would say that there is perfect and then there is perfect. Check this out:

You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matt 5:48 RSV

We all make minor errors of judgment. We do, I think, have to strive to be perfect in the more important matters.

I agree the scripture but when we are not yoked together with Jesus for whatever reason anything that is not of faith is sin. If we are covered by God's righteousness we can be perfect even if we are not.

 

[aspen]

I would say that there is perfect and then there is perfect. Check this out:

You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matt 5:48 RSV

We all make minor errors of judgment. We do, I think, have to strive to be perfect in the more important matters.

My dogs are perfect, because they are fully-dog. I am not perfect because I am not fully-human, but I will be after God's sanctification is completed in heaven.