Have you ever come in contact with a boastful parent? You know that parent that is always boasting about her first child that is doing so well in accounting and he is so smart and no other child is like him! She even goes as far as saying that none of his brothers or sisters can walk in his shoes. And worst still, she even tells this to the other brothers and sisters! Then a big disgrace comes after some years: his name is in the news headlines for money laundering… What a shame!
Don’t get me wrong there is nothing wrong when a parent is happy for the success of their child, but when the parent starts to boast and put down others that is where the danger is.
A similar situation happened in the Bible. I say similar because it wasn’t a parent boasting about a child but a man boasting about himself and turning his nose up at others.
See what the Bible says;
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.” (Luke 18:9-11)
This Pharisee’s first mistake was that he was not really praying to God at all. He was already certain that he was perfect and deserved any and everything from God. He was thankful that he wasn’t like the other man because he felt like he was better than that man.
We don’t need to go before God boasting about our good deeds! One thing He demands from us is sincerity.
I have a question for you… do you take a shower fully dressed in fancy clothes on? For sure not. And you should not go before God fully dressed in pride and self arrogance. You must present yourself before Him spiritually naked. Not hiding or pretending. Present yourself humbly at His feet… be real… take off the mask… and you will surely be lifted up!
May the God of the Bible bless you
Bishop Joshua
