I can be arrogant, self-righteous, selfish, and a brat among other things. I have a tendency to be self focused at times which causes me to be all of the above without ever realizing that I am. I can get so wrapped up in my own little world, even though I think that I am I doing good and serving. I can become boastful, in a humble way, in service to others.

Paul talks about people with similar tendencies in 2 Corinthians 11. He calls them false apostles. Although I hate to put myself in the same category as a false apostle, I have acted in much of the same ways. I thank God for awareness and growth but first awareness had to come. In 2 Contains 11, Paul ironically takes on the arrogance of the false apostles he is condemning. Paul begins to boast about all that he has endured in service to Christ. I soon realized that I have absolutely no reason to be boastful in comparison to Paul. If he chose not to be boastful, when his achieve supersede my own, how could I even mention my works. In verses 22-28, Paul gives a list of his many oppositions and burdens, including his worry for the churches. Yet, he concludes the chapter with pointing back to Christ.

30 If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am. 31 God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is worthy of eternal praise, knows I am not lying. 32 When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the city gates to catch me. 33 I had to be lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall to escape from him.

Questions:

Are you self-focused?

Are you boastful? If so, what do you boast about?

How do you handle attention for your good works?