A friend came over the other night and said something that made me think twice before I acted.  He said, “We should learn to talk about ourselves without boasting.”

People advertise themselves in various ways.  They publicize their exotic trips to exotic countries.  They announce important achievements of spouses and children.  They broadcast their own endeavors and goals.  However, listen how Jesus chose His words while speaking to His Father:

I KNEW THAT YOU ALWAYS HEAR ME, BUT I SAID THIS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE STANDING HERE, THAT THEY MAY BELIEVE THAT YOU SENT ME
(John 11:42).

How do we talk about ourselves without boasting?  Jesus had the answer: “When you talk about yourself, let it be to the benefit of other people.”

IN THIS SELF-CONFIDENT BOASTING I AM NOT TALKING AS THE LORD WOULD, BUT AS A FOOL
(2 Corinthians 11:17).

If you boast, you are not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool.  If you boast, you are not talking to benefit other people, but to raise your Self up.  Boasting keeps Self alive.  The question is why?  Why do you have to show off?  Do you feel invisible, ignored, or disregarded?  Do you feel that your heart is bad; therefore, you have to prove that it is good? Do you feel lesser in quality, quantity, or stature; therefore, you have to make up for your loss by boasting?

CHRIST…FILLS ALL THINGS EVERYWHERE WITH HIMSELF
(Ephesians 1:23).

I bless you to allow Jesus to fill you with Himself.  Allow Him to exchange your Self for His Self. He does not have unworthiness issues. He is Life. He is Truth. He is Love. He will live in you and talk through you to the benefit of others…without boasting.

LET ANOTHER PRAISE YOU, AND NOT YOUR OWN MOUTH; SOMEONE ELSE, AND NOT YOUR OWN LIPS
(Proverbs 27:2).

Which accusatory beliefs from the father-of-lies are causing you to boast? What are you trying to achieve through your boasting? What are you trying to hide? What are you going to do about this?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, fill me with Your Self: Your Love, Your Hope, and Your Truth, so I would start talking as You would to benefit other people. Help me to find the accusatory beliefs in my heart from the father-of-lies that are causing me to run to boasting in order to feel worthy. Then, help me to submit these beliefs to You, O Lord, so You may fill me with Your Worthiness.