1 Corinthians 13:4 *"...Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance*" (TPT).
*LOVE DOES NOT BRAG ABOUT ONE'S ACHIEVEMENT*
In a certain village, there were two farmers, let's call the first one John and the second James. Both planted yam during the same rainy season. At harvest, John's yam was huge. At the market he carried it on his head and was shouting: "See my handwork! No one plants like me! I’m the best farmer in this village!”.
James' own yam was also big, but he quietly packed his, gave some to a widow, and thanked God. That evening there was a community meeting. The village head asked for advice on farming for the young people. Who did they call? Not John who was bragging. They called James because people trusted him. He had love, not noise.
Months later, drought came. John had no friends to help him. But James had people who remembered his kindness and came to help him plant again. What is the moral of this story?
*Bragging gives you applause for a day. Love gives you people for a lifetime*.
We live in a world where people blow their trumpets oppressively. They brag to a point where they make others around feel oppressed and uncomfortable. They call attention to themselves and what they have achieved.
Unfortunately, pride speaks on some pulpits today. We now hear sermons that are laced with the achievements of the preacher and his church. The emphasis is on "breaking records" not minding what God is saying about their work. Reading what the Lord said about the Laodicean church is a caution to me.
Revelation 3:17 (MSG) says, *"You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’ oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless*".
As a minister of a growing church, beware of ministers conferences you attend and those you listen to. One reason some have dabbled into extra biblical and occultic practices is because they were soaked with the bragging of a supposed successful pastor and they left the meeting with a desire for material acquisition instead of a desire for souls.
When we constantly talk about our achievements, we make people feel small. We bully them into silence, depression and sometimes desperation to achieve greatness anyhow. I have chosen to stop listening to people who makes me feel small and lazy. I don't want to stretch myself beyond the limits of godliness.
Some testimonies are mildly oppressive and sprinkled with dusts of pride. When you stand to testify, speak more about how Hos grace helped you not about your effort. There are so many men&women putting effort into work but no result.
Say “God helped me” not “I’m better than XYZ". On social media, post to encourage, not to prove a point. Love doesn’t need to announce every achievement. We don't need to know your latest car, clothes, jewelries and shoes on social media.
Celehrate the wins of others louder than yours and let others praise your achievements not you.
Father, help me to love like you and I receive the grace to stay humble in the name of Jesus Christ.