Is All Boasting Wrong?

Warriors Arise: November 30, 2023

Too funny! I typed boasting for images to get a picture and it brought of a rooster!

Matthew 6:1-4 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly."

When the Bible was put together, they added chapters and verses. If you return to the verse we just studied at the end of Matthew chapter 5 and run them up against these verse, it might seem contradictory. However, if we keep in mind, the definition of a hypocrite, it will keep these verses pure.

According to Webster's Dictionary, hypocrite means 1. a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion. 2. a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings.

Hypocrite does not mean someone who is boasting about what God has done in their life. A hypocrite is not someone who shares what they have accomplished. What they accomplished would be a true statement. Are they doing the task because they enjoy doing it or are they doing it so someone notices them?

I post a lot about what I do throughout my day. When I post it isn't to boast about "look at me". I first started posting because I had hidden our family for years trying to protect them from criticism. Then I started posting because I received messages of people being inspired to go and do, to live life fuller, to dream, take risks and live an adventure God was calling them to fulfill.

I am not ashamed of my family. I love them. I am proud of them. They aren't perfect and I can point those things out, but that is a private matter. I do not believe in bringing people out on social media or in public. There is no need to humiliate them. That is demeaning and extremely disrespectful. If I really want someone to consider making a change in their life, it isn't to openly humiliate them.

Now, let's turn this boat around. When we do charitable deeds the question is our motive? Was it wrong for me to share about serving at the processing center for Operation Christmas Child? Was I boasting about me? No, I wasn't. I am glad we were there and it is an amazing opportunity to serve the Lord. I posted to inspire others to want to go and do. They need volunteers. I posted to give praise to the Lord for all the generous giving the people of America are doing to send the Gospel out into the world. This is Scriptural.

Some may look at my videos or pictures and think I am boasting about me and I can't change their mind. Their opinion of me says more about them than what it says about me. I have learned to let their opinion go. If they believe something about me, there isn't anything I can do to change their belief. They are blindsided by their belief. Until they really get to know me, they don't know me. So, I can't give them a place to speak in my life.

As long as God is pleased then I am rejoicing with Him. Jesus said the workers were few, so I post to call works to go and do with God. It doesn't matter if they do the acts of service I do or something else. I am just encouraging them to pursue God to see what He wants them to do.

Father, You are amazing. You have brought such freedom to my life. I enjoy living free from the ball and chain of wondering what people are thinking about me. I am grateful for who You have made me to be. I am clay in Your hands and molded by You. I will not put myself in someone else's hands. They are not the potter. You are the Potter. I will yield to Your touch and be molded by the Master. I will testify of Your greatness and worship You. I will tell of what You are doing and let my story motivate others to go and do in the areas You are calling them. I will boast in the Lord my God, in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy Hand

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