Bragging is a behavior that receives many mentions throughout the Bible, painting it in a generally negative light. The Bible provides countless guidance, lessons, and moral values, and one of the key teachings it emphasizes is humility and the discouragement of boasting or bragging. This underscores the importance of humility and the negative side effect of pride.
What the Bible Says About Bragging
The Bible is unequivocal in its stance against bragging. Its teachings advise believers to minimize self-glorification and place significance on humility. From stories and parables to directives and proverbs, the Bible consistently emphasizes that the act of bragging is in direct opposition to Godly principles. Devout followers are instructed to avoid bragging, focusing instead on practicing humility and sustaining a modest outlook. This is reiterated in numerous Bible verses which discourage bragging in favor of modesty and kindness.
Why Bragging Is Discouraged
Bible teachings emphasize that bragging is an attribute of pride, an emotion that is detrimental to one’s spiritual growth. According to the Bible, when one brags, they are putting their accomplishments and abilities above others and, most importantly, above God. Instead of focusing on their own accomplishments, followers are encouraged to recognize the power and glory of God. This theme demonstrates the perspective that all talents and successes are bestowed by God and should be attributed to Him. As followers, we should be gracious and humble, honoring God for his blessings rather than glorifying ourselves.
Who Should We Praise Instead of Boasting?
Instead of celebrating our own accomplishments, the Bible instructs us to praise and glorify God. By acknowledging His mighty work and His graciousness in bestowing upon us talents and resources, we keep our ego in check and reinforce our faith. The glorification or the boasting of our own selves only serves to foster pride and self-righteousness, emotions that derail our spiritual path. God is the source of our abilities and success, and He should be the one we acknowledge and celebrate.
When We Should Refrain from Bragging
The Bible advises us to refrain from bragging at all times. The teaching serves as a constant reminder to maintain our humility and refrain from self-praise, regardless of the situation. Be it in times of success or failure, the Bible encourages us to uphold an attitude of humility, acknowledging God’s role in our lives and attributing our successes to Him. This consistent message to abstain from bragging reinforces a main spiritual principle of humility.
Where We Should Direct Our Praise
Rather than bragging about our accomplishments, the Bible tells us to direct our praises to God. This principle is a testament to the belief that all blessings, capabilities, and achievements come from Him. Recognizing this, we are to lead our lives with an attitude of gratitude, thanking God for His divine protection, guidance, and blessings. In practicing this, we glorify God and credit Him for all our rewards and success, reinforcing our faith and spiritual path.
Below is the full list of bible verses on bragging (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Bragging
Jeremiah 9:23
“23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:”
Proverbs 27:1
“1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”
Related Themes: Boasting Procrastination Tomorrow Fortune
Proverbs 27:2
“2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.”
Jude 1:16
“16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.”
Related Themes: Complaining Lust Division Hypocrisy
Proverbs 25:14
“14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.”
James 4:17
“17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
Related Themes: Sin Adultery Gossip Procrastination Laziness
1 Corinthians 1:31
“31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”
Related Themes: Boasting
Galatians 6:14
“14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”
Related Themes: Pride Humility Boasting Glorification
James 4:16
“16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.”
Luke 6:35
“35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.”
Related Themes: Kindness Love Money Finances Selflessness
Ephesians 2:8-9
“8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Related Themes: Faith Grace Life Pride Repentance
2 Timothy 3:1-5
“1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
Related Themes: Manipulation Gossip Boasting Narcissism Pride
Proverbs 11:2
“2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.”
Proverbs 12:22
“22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Lying Honesty Gossip Stealing
Psalm 49:6
“6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;”
2 Corinthians 9:7
“7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
1 John 2:4
“4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Lying Abomination Hypocrisy Attitude
Philippians 2:3
“3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
Related Themes: Pride Humility Respecting Your Parents
Jeremiah 9:23-24
“23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.”
Romans 3:10
“10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”
Related Themes: All Sins Being Equal Vindictiveness Glorification Righteousness Resentment
Matthew 6:1-4
“1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.”
Matthew 7:13-14
“13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
Psalm 52:1
“1 To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Boasting
Jeremiah 9:24
“24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.”
2 Corinthians 11:30
“30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.”
Psalm 10:3
“3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.”
James 3:14
“14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.”
Related Themes: Bitterness Envy And Jealousy Lying Strife
Revelation 21:8
“8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Related Themes: Hell Abomination Telling The Truth Frustration Adultery
James 4:6
“6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
Related Themes: Pride Humility Grace Self-Esteem Humility
