Boasting

What happens to us when our greatest source of satisfaction is left unfilled?

2 Corinthians 10:17–18 ESV

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

Sign that someone is looking for approval from others:

When they feel like they have to say they are a good person

If someone is confident that they are doing what is right, they don’t feel the need to tell everyone around them so.

Insecurity in yourself leads to the need to find approval in others.

Jeremiah 9:23–24 ESV

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

Our greatest source of approval should be found in God

Why?

Because we will never be satisfied with man’s approval. It may last for a moment or even a day. You will always want more which then leads to insecurity.

When we are insecure, it leads to us trying to find faults in others.

That’s the way everything is in this world. Nothing fully satisfies except the things of God.

If we live our lives to please God, He will satisfy all of our needs, especially our need for acceptance and approval.

Our confidence is found in God

Our greatest possession is our salvation. Above all things the only thing we can boast about is that we know God.

We can go about life in confidence because our greatest need has been satisfied.

Where do you find approval?

Here is where we naturally look for approval. We look for approval in whatever is most important to us.

What is the most important thing in your life? Is your greatest boast that you know God? That you have a relationship with him?

Our greatest need is to be accepted and loved.

Have you asked God to meet that need in your life?