As men, our righteous pride begins with our pride in God. We don't want to be proud of God just in our hearts, we want to let everyone know how proud of God we are. I believe that the Psalms 44:8 passage also shows that there is some kind of connection between being thankful to God and boasting in him. It seems to me that boasting about ourselves and being thankful to God tend to be mutually exclusive:
"But the one who boasts must boast in the Lord." (2 Corinthians 10:17)
"so that, as it is written, 'Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.'" (1 Corinthians 1:31)
"In God I boast all day long, and we will continually give thanks to your name." (Psalms 44:8)
"Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring forth.
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
someone else, and not your own lips." (Proverbs 27:1-2)
Scripture shows that there is a place for pride in the life of a Christian. There is such a thing as doing good work and having righteous pride in ourselves. Galatians 6:4 explicitly calls each one of us to examine and evaluate our own workmanship. By implication, Galatians 6:4 also calls for us to do excellent work and take pride in our work. God just doesn't want us to compare ourselves to others in order to feel superior to them. Such comparing and judging lead to sinful pride and sinful boasting. Righteous pride in self pertains to spiritual matters (progress and joy in the faith), as well as earthly matters.
"Let each one examine his own work. Then he can take pride in himself and not compare himself with someone else." (Galatians 6:4)
"And since I am sure of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for the sake of your progress and joy in the faith, so that what you can be proud of may increase because of me in Christ Jesus, when I come back to you." (Philippians 1:25-26)
Finally, we are to take pride in each other. We have to be careful here. We are to take pride in each other, not because of outward appearances, but because of what is in each other's hearts. The stereotypical ideal for a "trophy" spouse just won't cut it. We are to take pride in our spouses and friends, not because of their beauty, intelligence, fame, possessions, or accomplishments, but because of what is in their hearts. What we can be proud of in each other must pass this litmus test: is it something we will be able to boast of to Jesus Christ when he comes again?
"We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may be able to answer those who take pride in outward appearance and not in what is in the heart. (2 Corinthians 5:12)
"For who is our hope or joy or crown to boast of before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not of course you?" (1 Thessalonians 2:19)
I am richly blessed in my marriage. I have two grown children. I am semi-retired. I have been a computer programmer, systems analyst, househusband and homeschool teacher. I love to walk, talk and eat, and write short articles about devoting our lives to Jesus.
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