The Sin of Boasting: A Sermon on Humility

Scripture: "Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips." (Proverbs 27:2)

Introduction

Boasting is a dangerous sin that creeps into the hearts of many believers. It is an expression of pride, self-exaltation, and a lack of dependence on God. The Bible repeatedly warns against boasting because it shifts glory from God to ourselves. Today, we will examine why boasting is not good, the biblical warnings against it, and how we can cultivate true humility.

1. The Nature of Boasting

Boasting is the act of excessively praising oneself, one’s achievements, possessions, or abilities. It often stems from:

• Pride – An inflated sense of self-importance (Proverbs 16:18).

• Insecurity – A need to prove oneself to others.

• Forgetting God’s Grace – Failing to acknowledge that every good thing comes from God (James 1:17).

The Apostle Paul warns, "For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?" (1 Corinthians 4:7).

2. Biblical Warnings Against Boasting

A. Boasting in Ourselves is Foolish

Jeremiah 9:23-24 says:
"Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they understand and know me."

Human achievements are temporary, but knowing God is eternal. When we boast in ourselves, we set ourselves up for a fall (Proverbs 16:18).

B. Boasting Leads to Destruction

• King Nebuchadnezzar boasted about his greatness, and God humbled him until he acknowledged that "the Most High rules over the kingdoms of men" (Daniel 4:28-37).

• The Pharisee in Luke 18:11-12 boasted about his righteousness but was not justified before God, unlike the humble tax collector who cried for mercy.

C. God Opposes the Proud

"God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." (James 4:6)
When we exalt ourselves, we invite God’s resistance rather than His blessing.

3. The Right Kind of Boasting

Not all boasting is sinful—if we boast in the Lord.

• "Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord." (2 Corinthians 10:17)

• "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Galatians 6:14)

We should boast in:

• God’s Salvation – What Christ has done, not what we have done.

• God’s Strength – Acknowledging our weakness and His power (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

• God’s Faithfulness – Testifying of His goodness rather than our own.

4. Cultivating Humility

To overcome boasting, we must pursue humility:

1. Examine Your Heart – Ask God to reveal pride (Psalm 139:23-24).

2. Give God the Glory – Always redirect praise to Him (1 Chronicles 29:11-14).

3. Serve Others – Follow Jesus’ example of humility (Philippians 2:3-5).

4. Remember Your Dependence on God – Without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5).

Conclusion

Boasting is not good because it robs God of glory and sets us up for a fall. True greatness is found in humility, recognizing that everything we have is by God’s grace. Let us strive to be like Christ, who "humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:8).

Prayer:
"Lord, forgive us for the times we have boasted in ourselves. Teach us to walk in humility, giving You all the glory. May our lives reflect Your grace, not our pride. In Jesus’ name, Amen."