We all know them, the people who are constantly boasting about what they have done, where they have been etc. They love to tell us of their exploits and how they saved the day. If you are like me you listen wondering how anyone could be so self-absorbed and full of vinegar (as my grandmother would say.). They see themselves as having little to no faults and there is nothing they do not know and cannot do, usually better than anyone else in their opinion.

Not only are people with this mentality hard to teach, they are sometimes hard to reach. After all, they know it all. They are their god. It is a sad state to be in I think. Anytime we become unteachable we are in trouble. Now can someone who is a “know it all” be a born again know it all,? Yes, I think they can although I fear it may be hard for them to walk in faith, after- all they have the answers and do not want to be lead by the spirit, especially if it is contrary to what they think is the right thing to do.They have and are the answer. However, having said that once we are truly born from above there should be a change and our affections should be toward Jesus, not self. It is really a matter of pride and misplaced affection. We are told in scripture whom to boast about and it is not self.

We are to boast in Him, the one who saved us and calls us by name. We are to give him credit for all things. We were made to magnify him and his glory and his sufficiency in our weaknesses.

God tells us that he hates boasting, it is sin!
Proverbs 6:66-17 “There are six things which the Lord hates, seven which are an abomination to him…and the first one is mentioned is a “haughty eyes.” What does haughty mean? It means arrogantly, superior and disdainful, proud, vain, conceited, snobbish, self-important, pompous, condescending. Doesn’t sound so great, does it?

We can read some pretty strong words in scripture.
Psalm 101:5 “The man of haughty looks and arrogant heart I will not endure.”

Proverbs 16:5 “Everyone who is arrogant is an abomination to the Lord.”

Isaiah 2:11 “The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the pride of men shall be humbled; and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.”

Jeremiah 50:31 “Behold, I am against you, O proud one, says the Lord God of hosts; for your day has come, the time when I will punish you.”

I think this one really sums up very well how God hates pride in us and a haughty spirit. It is hard to read, but it happened. Acts 12:23 says this: The angel of the Lord struck Herod so that he was eaten with worms and died because when he received applause from the people, he did not give God the glory but took it for himself. Yikes! Sounds to me like God will not let another get the praise and glory.

We need to be very careful in how we approach a pat on the back. Is there a time when we can be happy with something we have done, Yes, I think so. But there is a vast difference between being pleased and prideful. Pride really will go before the fall. Even scripture tells us this in Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

If you find that you are among those who have a false sense of who you are, a braggadocious way about you; do not lose heart. Go before the Lord, confess your sin, ask him to forgive you and he will. Turn from your sin and walk in the newness that is now yours. God by the power of His Holy Spirit will move and change your heart and mind, just ask him. Surrender the old you to the new you.

If we spend our time boasting about Jesus and all he has done then our focus will turn from us to him. He deserves all the glory, all the honor, and all the praise. He alone took the cross of calvary and our sin upon himself. He alone conquered the grave and death, He alone has the power to save. He alone arose from the grave…He alone deserves our adoration, our praise and all the glory.

To God be the glory for the great things he has done!
So, in closing the next time you run into a know it all and are listening to them tell of another of their great whatevers…silently lift them to the Lord and smile…God is able to change any heart!