Case Against Boasting and Bragging

Some people might think the words "boasting" and "bragging" are the same. They are related in a sense. However, they do not convey the same things.

Boasting: Definition

The dictionary defines boasting as the act of talking excessively about one's own achievements, possessions, or abilities. It is being proud and displaying self-satisfaction about what a person has, where he has been, and what he has done. When a person boasts, he becomes self-centered and egotistical.

Boasting is showing pride and promoting yourself. It takes the glory away from God. If you want to glorify someone, let it be God and not yourself.

The word appears more than 117 times in the Bible. If a person boasts of God and what He has done, it is not sinful. It becomes sinful when a person boasts about himself and constantly talks about what he owns and has done without the help of God. Boasting in oneself is an expression of pride and self-promotion without any humility.

When a person boasts, he constantly uses the personal pronouns "I, me, my, and mine." He focuses on himself more than on others. In fact, he tends to put others down in order to build himself up. A person who boasts enjoys being the center of attention.

Improper Boasting

One way to determine if boasting is proper or improper is to determine if the boasting is about God, others, or yourself. If it is about God or others, then it is proper. If the boasting is about yourself, then it is improper.

Here are some examples of improper boasting.

• Improper boasting takes the glory away from God, who alone deserves it.
• Improper boasting puts the focus on oneself, and sometimes it can't even be verified.
• Improper boasting comes with arrogance.
• When improper boasting is involved, it presents an exaggerated account of oneself.
• Boasting in oneself is an expression of pride and is improper.
• Improper boasting doesn't show humility.
• The presence of self-exaltation is the result of improper boasting.

Proper Boasting

Proper boasting is when one boasts and praises God for what He has done instead of taking the credit for himself. Whenever a person boasts of his own accomplishments, he takes the glory away from God and puts it on himself, where it doesn't belong.

To boast about others is proper only when you do not involve yourself. For instance, if you boast of funding your niece's college tuition when she graduates, then you have included yourself in her accomplishment. That is boasting on your part. You should compliment and boast about others without including yourself in their success.

Proper boasting is encouraging others about their accomplishments and waiting for them to boast about you. According to Solomon, "Let another praise you, and not your own mouth." (Proverbs 27:2)

Bragging: Definition

The dictionary definition of "bragging" is similar to that of boasting. However, there is a slight difference. When you are bragging, you are also boasting.

People who brag constantly tell others about the great things they've done. Bragging is showing off verbally. A specific boast can be called a brag.

Usually bragging is done in an arrogantly way while boasting may not be done that way.

What Bragging Is All About

Let others brag about you rather than you bragging about yourself. Giving yourself a mental pat on the back for a job well done can help boost your feelings. However, if you consistently talk about your accomplishments, you annoy people, and they will begin to avoid you. There are right and wrong ways to let your light shine without annoying people by always bragging about it.

Bragging Among Religious Leaders

Pastors brag from the pulpit about how many members the church has and how big the church's budget is. They even brag about how good they are at preaching and teaching the word of God. They claim they are the best in everything they do.

If you want to hear a lot of bragging in the church, then listen to the testimonies that people give. Their testimonies are more about them and their accomplishments instead of what God has done for them.

When Bragging is Bad

Here are several times when bragging is bad.

• Bragging is bad when you intentionally make yourself the focus of every conversation by talking about what you have done or intend to do.
• Bragging is bad when something you say about yourself can't be verified. When bragging is based on your self-report only, you run the risk of not being believed.
• Bragging is bad when you consistently give yourself self-praise.

Bragging is drawing attention to your success with a disclaimer such as "I shouldn’t brag, but…” or “I shouldn’t blow my own trumpet, but …” Your disclaimer alerts others to the fact that you know you are bragging. Your disclaimer makes your bragging worse.

Sometimes people brag by saying they can do better than someone else, even though they really can't.

Don't brag to hurt others. Putting them down doesn't elevate you.

What's Wrong With Bragging?

Okay, you have done a good thing. So what's wrong with bragging about it? The major prophet Isaiah tells us that there will come a day when God will punish the proud and those who brag. God says if you exalt yourself, He will humble you.

If you exalt yourself today by boasting and bragging, expect to be brought low and put to shame by the God who alone deserves the glory.

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