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Pride and Bragging

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by John of Japan, Aug 22, 2011.

  1. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    You know, the words "arrogant" and "pride" are thrown around way too much on the BB without definition. Let's fix that.

    First of all, these things are not boasting:

    (1) Paul said "I magnify mine office" (Rom. 11:13). If you are a missionary, pastor, evangelist, SS teacher, nursery worker, magnify what you do for Christ. Stand up straight, look people in the eye and say what you are.

    (2) To Paul the people won to Christ through his ministry were validation (1 Cor. 9:1-2). Testify about people saved through your ministry. This glorifies God (John 15:9), since He is the One who saves.

    (3) Don't be afraid to give details of your ministry. Paul told about all the places he had preached (Rom. 15:9). This glorifies God.

    (4) Telling how you were educated is not wrong. Paul did so (Acts 22:3). Telling what good grades you got glorifies yourself.

    So, what is pride and bragging? It's when you say things to lift yourself up and get people to admire you. It's when you praise your own efforts and compare yourself with others--"I really know the Bible better than you," "I've served God longer than you" (2 Cor. 10:12, Prov. 27:2). It's when you attribute the works of God to your own skill.
     
  2. righteousdude2

    righteousdude2 Well-Known Member
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    I'm Modest Enough to Admit, Here and Now....

    ....I am not a proud, boastful person! :laugh::laugh::laugh:

    Pastor Paul :type:
     
  3. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Who wrote that thread some time ago, "The BB's Ten Best Theologians and What I Taught the Other Nine"? :laugh:
     
  4. righteousdude2

    righteousdude2 Well-Known Member
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    It Wasn't Me. But I Wish it...

    ...Had been me. I loved it! :laugh::laugh:
     
  5. JesusFan

    JesusFan Well-Known Member

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    Think that when those terms aree "tossed" around here on BB, usually seems to be when discussion is between Cals and Arms, and both accuse each others theological stand as being "arrogant, ONLY way to see things!"

    or else when KJVO tries to rear up here!
     
  6. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

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    I'm very humble and proud of it.
     
  7. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    I'm more humble than all of you.
     
  8. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    My book, "Humbleness and How I Attained It" is going to press next week.

    (Oh yeah, good post JoJ)
     
  9. Bob Alkire

    Bob Alkire New Member

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    Mac Davis wrote a song that I know was about me a few years ago. The first line is;

    Oh Lord it's hard to be humble
    when you're perfect in every way.
     
  10. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    I really think you have twisted how those things were used in scripture and to follow your suggestion would be pride and arrogance. And yes all those things you gave would be boasting unless the speaker could do it in the same mindset and setting as scriptures does it and very few could.
     
    #10 freeatlast, Aug 23, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 23, 2011
  11. Jon-Marc

    Jon-Marc New Member

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    I knew a man like that at work. The look on his face alone told me that he was very proud of being humble and saved and better than others--as if it was something he accomplished all by himself.

    I don't believe pride is always wrong. Is there anything wrong in taking pride in your appearance and keeping yourself clean and looking as good as you can? I knew a young lady who was rather plain in looks, but she did the best she could with what she had. She took pride in her appearance in that she always looked as good as she could despite having a rather plain face. Some would call that just doing what is natural, but I call it taking pride in your appearance--which is not a bad thing.

    There is such a thing as being TOO humble--to the point that you put yourself and your abilities down so as not to appear prideful or boastful. A pastor told the congregation at the church I attended and served at about a man who, when asked if he could play baseball, stood and scuffled his feet in the dirt and replied, "Yeah, I can play pretty well." When he got up to bat, he hit the ball out of the ball field. That man didn't play "pretty well"; he played great!

    What is wrong with acknowledging your abilities in a non-boastful way (it can be done)? God needs workers who know that through Christ they can do do whatever task He calls them to do. We don't all have the same gifts and abilities, but we need to acknowledge the ones we do have and use them to glorify God. Too many people don't acknowledge their gifts and abilities and fail to use them for the Lord. I've known people with great singing voices who said, "I can't sing."

    I always say that God has blessed me with a better than average voice which I used for several decades to sing His praises. Is it boastful or prideful to say that? I don't think so, but I do admit that in my younger years my youthful pride caused me to sin and boast in myself and "my" talent--forgetting that God gave me that talent and the voice, which He could just as easily take away. He did just that for several years until I learned to give Him the glory and not myself.
     
    #11 Jon-Marc, Aug 23, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 23, 2011
  12. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Aha! So if we avoid all controversy we'll be humble. :smilewinkgrin::saint:
     
  13. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    I remember that one:

    "I can't wait to look in a mirror.
    I get better lookin' each day!"
     
  14. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    This is a very general statement. Please be more specific. Do you object to every single point? One in particular?
     
  15. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    I'll read it eagerly to see how you are more humble than I am! :saint::saint:
     
  16. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    This is a great point. Denying the gifts that God has given you is not right. And on the other hand, taking credit for the gifts and actions of God does not give him glory and is pride.
     
  17. Thousand Hills

    Thousand Hills Active Member

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    Let me guess the back cover will have several endorsements from yourself, and at the beginning of the book you will thank yourself for encouraging and supporting yourself while you wrote it. :laugh::laugh:
     
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