But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world (Galatians 6:14).
I grew up in a time when boasting was frowned upon. I remember memorising Proverbs 27:2: “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth.” Compliments were supposed to come from others—not ourselves! But today’s culture often encourages self-promotion. People pump their fists and post online in search of attention, likes, and approval. Social media and Christian broadcasting networks have become the perfect platform for boasting and self promotion.
Just recently, I went for a hike and was surprised to see so many fellow hikers more focused on selfies than the breathtaking scenery. At a nearby café, a large mirror was being used as a prop to pose for selfies. It was amusing, but also a little sad—everyone was glued to their phones, oblivious to one another and to God’s creation. I didn’t see a single table where people were actually talking or paying attention to the sounds and sights of the countryside.
Selfie World
We live in a “selfie world” where boasting often disguises itself as self confidence. It can mean talking endlessly about ourselves to impress others or seek affirmation. Sometimes it involves sharing our hardships to gain sympathy or attention. Boasting can cause us to dominate conversations, rarely listening or showing genuine interest in others’ lives. It may appear as name-dropping, humble-bragging, or simply needing the spotlight.
At its core, boasting draws attention to self rather than lifting others up and considering them more important than ourselves. Boastfulness is not concerned with God’s glory or others’ well-being. Scripture often links boasting with arrogance (James 4:16), and it flows from the “pride of life,” which is not from the Father but from the world (1 John 2:16). Ultimately, it is a form of self-worship.
Boasting and love cannot occupy the same camp. As Paul wrote in the famous love chapter: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way” (1 Corinthians 13:4–5). Boasting and love don’t coexist.
Lovers of Self
Boasting marks our age, as it did Paul’s. In describing the “last days” between Christ’s first coming and His return, Paul warned that people would become increasingly“lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy… lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:2–5). It’s a bleak but accurate description of today’s culture.
Meek and Lowly
In contrast, Jesus—our perfect example and motivation—was humble and lowly. Though perfect in every way, He never boasted. He wasn’t driven by selfish ambition or vain conceit (Philippians 2:3), nor did He seek human approval. Even when tempted, He refused to perform for applause or followers. He did not elevate himself, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, humbling himself to death on a cross (Luke 4:1–12; Philippians 2:5-8).
Jesus cared for people genuinely and individually. He modelled humility and rebuked the Pharisees who did good deeds for human recognition, not God’s approval (Matthew 6:1–34).
But as with every vice we “put off” in Christ, we must “put on” a godly virtue in its place (Ephesians 4:22–24). To borrow the words of Thomas Chalmers, we need “the expulsive power of a new affection” to defeat the sin of boasting in ourselves.
When it comes to boasting, there is a kind that honours God.
A Good Kind of Boasting
Paul taught the Corinthians to boast—not in themselves, but in their relationship with Jesus and His work in the gospel (1 Corinthians 1:31). The right kind of boasting is all about God’s glory and what He has done, rather than drawing attention to ourselves. It is God’s approval that is the ultimate measure of our worth (2 Corinthians 10:17-18). So, Paul chose to boast in his own weakness (2 Corinthians 11:30–33), that the power and grace of God might shine more clearly in his life.
In contrast, the so-called “super-apostles” in Corinth boasted in their worldly accomplishments and eloquence, trying to impress and dominate with clever words. But Paul wrote:
“Consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise by worldly standards, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish… weak… low and despised… so that no human being might boast in the presence of God… Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:26–31).
True Strength in Weakness
The Bible reminds us that Jesus came not as a conquering king, but a humble servant. The kingdom belongs to those with a living, personal faith in Him—not to those boasting in their own strength to earn his gifts. When we recognize Christ as our only righteousness and redemption, our only sustenance and sufficiency, boasting in Him becomes not only right—it becomes necessary and a delight. True wisdom and knowledge belong to those who simply trust in Christ and find their complete identity in Him (Col 2:3). Our confidence is in Him alone.
As King David declared:
“Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7).
And again in Psalm 34:
“My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together!” (Psalm 34:2–3)
Boasting in anything other than the Lord—our beauty, brains, achievements, status—is like an axe boasting against the one who wields it (Isaiah 10:15). Churches that rely on spectacle and boastful pastors are at odds with the gospel. In contrast, boasting in the Lord means magnifying God and seeing ourselves rightly.
How Do We Boast in the Lord?
We boast in the Lord when we praise Him together and sing of his gospel grace. We boast in the Lord when His word dwells richly among us, when we encourage and teach one another with spiritual wisdom (Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 5:18–19). We boast in the Lord when we rejoice in our salvation—not because of anything we’ve done, but because of His mercy and grace (Ephesians 2:5–6). We boast in the Lord when we gather around the communion table to remember our redemption and forgiveness of sins, “according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us (Eph 1:7-8).
As we meditate on the following Scriptures, let us rejoice and boast in:
- The new life and abundant blessings we have in Christ (Ephesians 1:3–14)
- The peace we now enjoy with God (Romans 5:1)
- Our full acceptance in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6)
- The deep joy of knowing our sins are forgiven (Psalm 32:1–2)
- The Holy Spirit, who seals us and guarantees our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13–14)
- Our freedom from all condemnation (Romans 8:1)
- Our adoption into God’s family (Ephesians 1:4–5)
- Our victory through Christ (Ephesians 1:19–23; Romans 7:24–25; 1 Corinthians 15:56–57)
- Our weaknesses, through which God’s strength is revealed (2 Corinthians 11:30)
- God’s faithful work in us, enabling us to work out our salvation with reverence and awe (Philippians 1:6; 2:12–13)
- His power that equips us to live holy and set-apart lives (1 Thessalonians 4:7; 5:23–24)
Even in the smallest churches, even in hostile lands, even in suffering and pain, saints continue to boast in the Lord. Why? Because our purpose is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. We boast that today we can live for God’s glory because Jesus has conquered our sin and death. We boast that tomorrow we will stand with the redeemed– all his servants both small and great, shouting:
“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready… Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” (Revelation 19:6–9)
“Let him who boasts boast in this: that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness on the earth” (Jeremiah 9:24)
Prayer
Father, we often care too much about our image or fear appearing weak. Right now some of us are afflicted with weaknesses, failures, regrets, humiliation and heartache. But we ask that our weaknesses would lead us to utterly depend on You. May we boast in Your greatness, not our own. Were it not for your salvation and the strength of Jesus sustaining us moment by moment, we would be left in despair. So Lord, we renounce all self-reliance and every sinful form of boasting. We long to decrease, so that You may increase in us. Be our strength, our joy, and our glory. We boast in You and ask that Your power be made perfect in our weakness. We are not sufficient Lord, but You are. Use our ordinary lives for Your glory. Amen.
