Bible Study Question.

[namommy]

John 2:16
For everything in the world- the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world.

OK, my question deals with "the boasting of what he has and does"

How do you know the difference between 'boasting' of what we have and what we do, and just wanting to tell of the blessings and the gifts that God has given us? Can we as humans, know the difference, or can only God tell what is in our hearts?

Laurie

[sugarssweetpea]

In my opinion, boasting of what we have and do, puts the credit and glory on ourselves. Telling of the blessings that God has done for us, puts the credit and the glory on God, where it all belongs.

[cmc]

I agree and it also means to flaunt it before someone who is less fortunate, in other words: there is no godly motivation behind it. When I share it must be for the building up of others not to tear them down or act superior.
When I share ESH... how it was, what I did, and how it is now...that spreads a message that God gave me a blessing and that same blessing is available to others too.

[duet_4-8]

ditto what the others said. Giving the glory to God, sharing His blessings to us with others, is not boasting. Boasting is taking all the credit for ourselves: "look what I did/have/gave etc".

[best]

Paul said he would boast of his sin so that God's glory could be seen even brighter.

Look at me...The greatest sinner of all.
Look what Jesus did... He saved me from myself.

Boast away Laurie as you tell people what Jesus is doing in your life.

There are times we need to be boastful. There are times we need to show validation (toot our own horn) so that others may understand where our ES&H comes from.
Who you are and what you have done are the qualifiers that back up your ES&H.

I am Laurie...
A mom.
A wife.
A member of NA.
I have done these things in NA....
I have experienced this things in life....
If not for the grace of God...

The difference I see between being boastful in a wrong sense and being boastful so that others may better know us... Pride.
Do I boast to lift me up... bad pride filled boasting
or do I boast (share what I know) so that others may better understand and find answers... good loving boasting.

[namommy]

Thanks,
I got a little confused when I read that.

Also, there are times when I 'think' I am saying or doing things for the right reasons, but find out later that my ego fooled me into thinking that, and my motives weren't really pure.

How do we get around that?

[best]

Originally Posted by namommy

Thanks,
I got a little confused when I read that.

Also, there are times when I 'think' I am saying or doing things for the right reasons, but find out later that my ego fooled me into thinking that, and my motives weren't really pure.

How do we get around that?

By doing the next right thing.

When I knew better I did better.

By saying please every morning and thank you every night...we start our day asking for guidance for the day and end our day reflecting on areas we may see needs for growth and say Thank you because today we grew and tomorrow we can do even better.
Time makes for growth... it all comes in time as needed.