Proud Braggarts Lack Love

"It does not boast, it is not proud." (1 Corinthians 13:4b)

Hollywood is great at depicting "proud braggarts." So we all have an idea what the extreme version looks like.

But there are more subtle versions that we might not catch as quickly, especially if those characteristics are in us. So let me see if I can help identify what it would look like on a much milder scale than that of Hollywood. Here are some things a more subtle proud braggart might speak:

"Well, I guess I raised my kids differently than you, because mine have never given me any problems." -or- "My kids would never do something like that. I taught them better."

"I'm the only one in this place that really works, the rest of you are useless."

"I just don't know why you don't get even the simplest of things like this."

"Of course, I'm not perfect…." (this sentence does not end in a period, leaving room for "but I'm pretty close." And it always follows a criticism of someone else.)

"I don't run through my paycheck the way you do."

I'm sure there are better example of what I am getting at here, but I hope you get the general idea.

There are some common denominators in the above statements:

1. The use of the word "I"
   
2. The use of the word "you" (either spoken or implied)
   
3. The sin of comparison
   
4. The person on the receiving end (the "you"), leaves feeling like something less, and lower in spirit, which is the goal of pride…to elevate oneself above another.
   

These sentences above can take place between unbelievers or believers; we believers are not exempt, if we are not "walking" in the Spirit as we are commanded to do.

"But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." (Galatians 5:15-16)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance…" (Galatians 5-22-23)

Gentleness, meekness…two qualities that do NOT shine in us when we are being proud and boastful.

"Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud." (Proverbs 16:19)

"The Lord lifteth up the meek: He casteth the wicked down to the ground." (Psalm 147:6)

In the extreme, proud braggarts leave devastation in their wake. Those who abuse are almost always proud braggarts. Proud people are oppressors, holding others in contempt.

"Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me." (Psalm 119:122) This was David's cry to the Lord.

"Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud." (Psalm 123:4)

Another sign of proud braggarts is that control is important to them. In their minds, control keeps them elevated "above" others.

But meekness and gentleness don't need to be in control or "above" others; they will come along second, instead of first. Just as Jesus "followed" the Father and did all that He saw the Father doing. He was not "above" the Father, but the Father did elevate Him and continues to do so until His purposes are complete.

The point is that Jesus did not elevate Himself. In fact, He allowed Himself to be beaten, and crucified by proud braggarts, in order to "follow" where the Father was leading Him….the goal being to save us…the proud braggarts…and to deliver us from the punishment that we deserved. And to deliver us from the captivity of our sin of pride by which we only harm one another. What is there of eternal value in any of us that we can boast about? And if there is no eternal value, then it is of no value at all, for it will one day be burned up and become ashes

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are HIS workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

"Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing: knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it." (1 Peter 3:8-11)