Do not boast

Beware.. you might just realize that
you are being too righteous.
Remember God said through the apostle Paul:
No one is righteous.. no one.
(I'm also telling this to myself)

For a couple of times this week, I have encountered people who caused some bruises in my mind, which tries to be sensitive at all times. These people whom I thought to be humble, because they are under a wonderful process called “road to Christ-likeness”, gave impact to me, as a believer of Christ.

This is not to criticize them but for the sake of pondering more on what I have learned. I know some of them for quite a long while now, yet I know, I have more to know about them.

Some people (in particular situations, may include ME) become too careless about relating what they know about God and the bible. The driving force, when they talk about God’s glory, is sometimes not anymore LOVE, but self righteousness and for worse, self-wisdom. When a person has a lot of knowledge about the bible, he/she tends to get drowned of the overflowing principles, which he/she claims to be God’s privilege for him/her. However, when he/she starts to talk, you will feel it – you won’t feel love, but rather, you will feel smaller than you are.

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. - 1 Corinthians 13

I believe that when our brothers and sisters in Christ talk, we should feel the LOVE from God, not the boasting tongue. Some will say : Praise God, I have already finished the book of Isaiah, tomorrow I will be reading Micah. But when you look at his/her lifestyle, the reading seemed to be useless. How come he/she uttered praises to God? Let's be careful.

Most of the time, we get tough struggles as we saturate ourselves to God’s word. Satan can use the inputs for us to feel so proud. There are times that we might focus on the teachings of God and not to God Himself anymore. It’s like having a lot of money. You intend to give them to the poor and the church (as what God wants), then realize that you are already considering money as your/others' main source of security. Let’s not forget that money is a tool that should not come between us and God. Same as our mind, it is God’s tool for us to learn. Do not use it for personal security. God is our fortress, shelter, and refuge - not our mind – nor money.

Now, I have learned from God that I need to be more sensitive about the use of His word. It is He who should talk, not me. My mind and mouth are His tools. He is in control. I must not use these to boast. I should let Him stay inside me and purify my heart so that His righteousness (not mine) will come out. My words may hurt people, but God’s word will not. I'd rather use His word, which is the powerful sword against the enemy. Praise God for this realization. By now, I am praying for my brothers and sisters whom I have learned this matter from. I believe God has a way to let them know that He is the only holy and righteous God. No one is perfect enough to have the right to boast about anything. No one.