Galatians 5:26
“Let’s not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.”
The popularity of social media is usually driven by a desire to be seen. That's a normal desire, but can cause some problems. Today's verse is an example of a desire to be seen brought to unhealthy extremes.
Can sharing news of our success be ok and not be boasting? Yes; it depends on the spirit in which we share it and who we tell it to. Some may be suffering and hearing our stories could sadden them. Psalm 34:18 says, "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit." We need to be sensitive to others in our speech.
We've got friends who would celebrate with us. They would love to hear those stories. Blessed be those that have good friends. It's a wonderful experience to share with a good listener.
A good principle to live by is Proverbs 27:2, "Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips." Outside of our close friends, most don't want to hear our successes, but would be bored or threatened by them. To follow this verse means that some of our successes will go unnoticed.
Our accomplishments build our self esteem. We need to be satisfied with that. We tend to want more, so we tell others. This isn't wrong, but usually falls on deaf ears and is frustrating. We need to take comfort in our accomplishments, even though we want more from them.
Today's verse has the person seeking self fulfillment by going to unhealthy levels. They talk about themselves without any concern for others. They are boasting. This behavior makes others uncomfortable, as it demeans them.
They also challenge others to fortify their weak self concept. This brings demeaning others to greater levels. It's as if they intentionally hurt others to guard their turf.
The last part of this verse addresses an unhealthy internal view of others, envy. This attitude desires what others have. It may want their possessions, personality, life station and so on. To be tempted to envy is natural, but we mustn't give in to it. God gave us enough to be happy our own paths.
The antidote to envy is contentment. Paul says that "godliness and contentment are great gain", (I Timothy 6:6). Sure we wish we had more, but contentment is a wonderful trait. It helps us restrain from talking about ourselves. Paul goes one step further and says that the mixture of godliness with contentment is great gain. It's like mixing nitro with gasoline adds a super boost to a car's performance. Including God and His ways in our lives brings such fulfillment that we don't need other means of filling ourselves. David said in Psalm 23, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."
The Lord fills us, we don't need to boast, brag or envy. We can do the opposite and listen to others. We know what it's like to feel empty, so we can be an audience that many seek.
Lord, thank You for filling us. Thank You for the contentment You reward us with. Help us not to brag, but to be a blessing and to listen.