Devotional #20

Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.

~Proverbs 27:2 (NKJV)

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There is nothing more disgusting in the eyes of the Lord than a haughty spirit, pridefulness, and boasting. And as it is in His eyes, so should it be in ours, as Christians. We should look on the above mentioned things and be horrified by them, and disgusted with them, just as He is. But, sadly, this is often not the case these days. So often we hear people boasting about how good they are, what wonderful things they did, how smart they are, etc. etc. etc. This ought not be, dear sisters!

As Christians, we are to put off absolutely everything from our old lives-the lives we led before we met the Lord. We are a new creature, saved by the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, people should be able to look at us and immediately know that we have Christ. But is this the case? Can people look at you, see the way you conduct yourself, hear the things you say, and by these, know without a shadow of doubt that you have been bought by Christ? If not, then I suggest we all undergo some self-examination and then we need to repent of our sinfulness!

If you are in the habit of boasting about yourself, go to the Lord, repent with your whole heart, and ask for His forgiveness. Ask for the strength to resist the temptation to boast in the future. Turn from your prideful way of life, and forsake the habit of boasting. To those you have boasted to, ask their forgiveness as well!

If you have been in the habit of boasting, it may take a lot of work and diligence to throw off this sinful habit, but it is something you must do! A Christian must not boast about themselves! For one thing, they have absolutely nothing to boast about! They are nothing but vile, wicked, wretched sinners, saved only by the miraculous grace of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If a Christian boasts, they ought to boast about how wonderful their Lord is, as Paul did! We read in Proverbs 31:31 that the Proverbs 31 woman's own works praise her in the gates. Her good works earned her praise-she did not boast about or praise herself! We must remember that! And in the verse for today's devotional, others are to boast about this person-that person ought not be boasting about themselves.

One thing I do want to point out though, is that our actions, words, and conduct must be praiseworthy. This is so important. As Christians, our thoughts, words and deeds are at all times to be worthy of praise, for they at all times are to resemble the Lord and His actions while He was on the earth. But our actions our not to be done in order that we receive praise!! Our good deeds should be preformed for the sole reason that we desire to please and glorify our Lord.

May the Lord grant to you strength, as you work towards becoming a lady of humility, rather than pridefulness!