Hot Air Syndrome
Today’s Verse:
Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain. ~Proverbs 25:14
Do you like to brag about yourself? If we are honest, all of us have a tendency to boast about something we consider good or great about us. Boasting is an innate desire to promote ourselves in front of other people. It is an exaggeration of accomplishments, abilities, gains, and possessions to gain the approval or adoration of other people. It is a prideful declaration that seeks to impress other people. It is our vain attempt to exalt ourselves for attention. Social media through Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter has become a popular means for everyone to publicly boast about themselves. Paul said the last days would be characterized by men who are boasters. When we talk about ourselves to gain attention, we develop a reputation for being “hot air.” Hot air in a balloon makes it ascend very quickly, but as the air cools, the balloon starts to drop. Let us examine what I call “hot air syndrome.”
We see the silly DELUSION.
“It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth,” Prov. 20:14. “Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain,” Prov. 25:14. Boasters are delusional about their abilities and accomplishments. Boasting imagines that we are better than we really are, and that we are more deserving of attention than we should be. Solomon said, “Most men proclaim everyone his own goodness.” Solomon said a boaster is like clouds and wind without rain. They have a boastful appearance, but deliver nothing in terms of results. Even where there are true accomplishments that are being boasted of, this is prideful marketing and devoid of giving God the glory. Boasting is a manipulative way to gain attention for personal gain.
We see the sinful DANGER.
“Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth,” Prov. 27:1. We must be careful of being presumptuous about our days, opportunities, and desires. King Nechadnezzar was boastful about his kingdom and that he was the greatest king ever. God humbled him down to the level of a four-footed beast. His kingdom was in a non-progressive state during that time, and all that he thought he would do was not done. It is dangerous to make plans without God. It is dangerous to think and plan our life as if we are building a kingdom that will last forever. It is dangerous to put off getting saved, serving the Lord, or getting right with someone we have offended and hurt. James said, “But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.” Tomorrow might not come!
We see the sanctified DESIRE.
Instead of boasting about us, why don’t we boast about the Lord? “My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad,” Ps. 34:2. “In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah,” Ps. 44:8. We have so many things to boast of concerning the Lord. Our soul should be filled with an overwhelming sense of God’s goodness all the time. We should make our boast about others and what the Lord is doing in their lives. “For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many,” 2 Cor. 9:2. Paul boasted of the readiness and generosity of the Corinthian believers in their giving. Their example inspired other churches in their giving.
Get rid of the hot air in your life. Let the breath of the Spirit fill and permeate you with boasting of the Lord.
Have a Christ-centered God Morning!