Bragging Rights
Is it okay to brag? Most of us like to brag without allowing the truth to restrict us. Don’t use as an excuse the old adage, “It’s not bragging if it’s true.”
Be careful what you brag about. Jeremiah says that there are three things we better not brag about and one thing we should brag about:
- Don’t brag about your wisdom. (Jeremiah 9:23) The reason is that when we brag about our wisdom, we show how little wisdom we have. We are like the young man trying to impress people at an art museum. He said, “I hate it when people act all intellectual and talk about Mozart while they never have even seen one of his paintings.” Someone said, “The man who says he is the wisest man in the room—is in the wrong room.”
Paul gives a long discourse about false wisdom in Romans 1. The people thought they were so wise that they stopped worshiping God and began to make their own idols. Paul says, “Their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise they became utter fools indeed.” (Romans 1:22)
- Don’t brag about your strength. (Jeremiah 9:23) America needs to know that a nation’s strength is not in war horses, or size or armies, or economy, but in God alone. (Psalm 127:1,2)
The Apostle Paul taught us that the greatest strength comes when we realize how weak we are and trust in His strength. The person who brags about how strong he is will fall pretty quickly. The person who is humble enough to recognize his weakness is the one who can be open to all of God’s strength. (II Corinthians 12:7-10)
- Don’t let the rich brag about their riches. (Jeremiah 9:23) How rich we really are is not how much money we have in the bank, but how deeply we are committed to following God’s will.
Proverbs says, “Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. In the blink of an eye, wealth disappears. Wealth will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle.” (Proverbs 23:4-5) David said, “If your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life.” (Psalm 62:10) My Dad used to say, “It’s very difficult for a man to hold a full cup with a steady hand, especially if that cup was filled quickly.”
- Jeremiah then tells us what we ought to brag about—and that’s the Lord Almighty God. (Jeremiah 9:24) We brag about Him because of His justice, His kindness, His righteousness. God is all wisdom—all strength—and all wealth!
Not football, nor family, nor money, nor wisdom, nor power, nor personal accomplishments, will ever give you bragging rights. Bragging on what God has done, is doing, and will do are the bragging rights that can belong to every person.
Jesus said, “If I am lifted up, I will draw all people unto myself.” (John 12:32) Bragging about Him is the key to life. Someone said, “I am just a nobody telling everybody about Somebody who can change anybody.”
It’s bragging time!!
