For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 2 Timothy 3:2 NKJV

In an age of self-promotion and individualism, ancient warnings about boastfulness and arrogance ring louder than ever. These negative traits are often discussed in the Bible as behaviors that deeply offend God. Drawing from the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible, this exploration seeks to unpack the spiritual and moral risks associated with boastfulness and arrogance.

Boastfulness refers to being overly proud and loud about one’s own achievements and status. It is particularly pointed out in the Bible as a sign of societal decline in the last days, suggesting a growing obsession with oneself. The Bible warns us in 2 Timothy 3:2 of times when people will be “lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud…” This loud and flashy bragging is a reflection of a deeper love for oneself than for anything else.

The term ‘boastful’ originates from the Greek word ‘alazon,’ which describes someone who pretends to be more important than they really are, often acting in a pushy and exaggerated manner. These individuals tend to stretch the truth, puffing up their accomplishments to gain admiration or to seem better than others. This behavior is not just a minor flaw but a serious spiritual problem. The Bible explains that this trait comes from worldly values and is something that God strongly opposes, as noted in 1 John 2:16, which connects the desires of sinful people and the pride in their achievements to worldly rather than heavenly values.

Arrogance, on the other hand, is more about how we feel inside about ourselves compared to others. It is often not as visible as boastfulness. Romans 1:30 lists traits of arrogance like being “disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful.” These traits arise from thinking too highly of oneself, looking down on others as if they are less important. The Greek term for this is ‘huperephanos,’ which means ‘showing oneself above others.’ It’s a kind of pride that hides in the heart, not always seen by others but always known to God.

God’s view on arrogance is clear: He actively opposes it. James 4:6 tells us, “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” God’s resistance is a direct response to the self-elevation seen in arrogant individuals. The results of letting arrogance grow in our hearts are dangerous—it can lead to a lack of spiritual understanding and a hardened heart against God’s truths and His grace.

Instead of following the path of boastfulness and arrogance, the Bible encourages us to choose humility. Humility isn’t about putting yourself down; it’s about knowing your true place before God and other people. It means seeing your own limits honestly and valuing others as much as you value yourself.

Jesus is the perfect example of humility. He chose to serve rather than be served and went as far as to die to save others (Philippians 2:8). His life is a powerful contrast to the self-important behaviors condemned in the scriptures. By choosing humility, we open our lives to God’s grace and guidance and move away from pride, which can lead to spiritual destruction.

In summary, boastfulness and arrogance aren’t just simple bad habits; they are significant spiritual issues that signal a deeper self-love that is contrary to God’s teachings. The Bible’s warnings about these behaviors are serious and meant to steer us back towards a life of humility and service. By understanding these vices through biblical teachings, we are invited to examine our hearts and realign our values with God’s kingdom, where humility is valued above pride and service above self-promotion. This realignment not only brings us closer to the divine but also fosters a more compassionate and understanding heart towards others.

—Josh Mullins—

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Forever Us: Gilly y Nora (Spanish Edition) https://a.co/d/dfhtNLL