Topic: Refusing to Brag

Text: Philippians 3:3-9

Key verse:  But we are the ones who are truly circumcised because we worship by the power of God’s Spirit and take pride in Christ Jesus. We don’t brag about what we have done, – Philippians 3:3

The winning mindset for a believer in Jesus Christ is identified by the desire not to brag about self-worth or accomplishments.

So many experts teach on the need to toot your horn or brag about yourself in other to attract the right persons to yourself. Some teach people to be more assertive, aggressive; and exhibit pride as a way to conquer low self-esteem and command respect for themselves.

Self-talk which refers to the internal conversation with ourselves, which influences how we feel or behave can be rooted in our accomplishments or in the new identity we have in Christ. Paul models for us what is acceptable for believers. In our text, he does not deny the fact that you may have a basis to  brag, but rather he had learned a better way.

… Others may brag about themselves, but I have more reason to brag than anyone else. But Christ has shown me that what I once thought was valuable is worthless. – Philippians 3:4,7

Why did Paul consider his accomplishments as worthless?  I believe he realized that holding on to those thoughts would deny him the opportunity of knowing the power of God in its fullness.For instance, if a glass is half full of water and you desire to pour wine into the same glass, you will have room enough for half a glass of wine, and what you will end up with is a diluted version of that wine.

Your silver is fake, and your wine is watered down. – Isaiah 1:22

The mind of Christ rests on the power of God, and not on human effort or accomplishments. Paul magnified what God could do through him above what he had earned in his previous pursuits. He even refers to himself as a clay vessel, not a golden one that the glory might be to the power of God at work in him and through him.

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. – 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NLT)

The winning mindset rests on the great power from God which we carry, the power of the Holy Spirit. This power includes the wisdom of God, the revelation of mysteries, and insights into spiritual matters. What would you rather have, that which is on the surface or the treasure that lies deep in the earth? As we empty ourselves of the reasons to brag, we get filled with God’s power till it is all of him and none of us.

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, – Philippians 3:10

For us today, sharing in his death will be dying to selfishness and natural ways of reasoning and choosing to live according to God’s spirit.  May we experience the filling of the Holy Spirit more and more in Jesus’ name, amen.

Roses&Thorns