Bragging is something we all recognize.
We’ve all met people who can’t stop talking about their achievements, their money, or their talents.
Maybe we’ve even caught ourselves bragging, trying to impress others or prove our worth.
But what does the Bible say about bragging?
Is it always wrong, or are there times when it’s acceptable?
Does God care about how we talk about our accomplishments?
The Bible has a lot to say about pride, boasting, and humility.
Understanding what Scripture teaches can help us check our hearts and learn how to speak in a way that honors God.
Let’s take a deeper look at what the Bible says about bragging and how we can avoid the trap of prideful boasting.
Bragging Comes From Pride
At its core, bragging is a form of pride.
It’s a way of saying, “Look at me! Look at what I’ve done!”
But the Bible warns us that pride is dangerous.
Proverbs 16:18 gives a clear warning:
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
When we boast about ourselves, we are putting our confidence in our own abilities instead of recognizing that everything we have comes from God.
James 4:6 reminds us:
God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.
This means that when we are full of ourselves, we are actually pushing God away.
He desires humility, not self-promotion.
If we want to live in a way that pleases God, we need to check our hearts and make sure pride isn’t driving our words.
Bragging About Tomorrow Is Foolish
Many times, bragging isn’t just about what we’ve done—it’s about what we plan to do.
People boast about future success, promotions, wealth, or big plans.
But the Bible reminds us that we don’t control the future.
James 4:13-14 warns:
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.
What is your life?
You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
This verse is a reminder that our lives are short, and the future is in God’s hands.
Bragging about what we will accomplish is pointless because we don’t even know if we will have tomorrow.
Instead of boasting about our plans, we should humbly trust God with our future.
Bragging About Wealth Is Meaningless
Many people take pride in their money, their possessions, or their success.
They brag about how much they make, what they own, or how successful they are.
But God sees wealth very differently than the world does.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 says:
This is what the Lord says:
Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me.
God is not impressed by wealth, strength, or intelligence.
He cares about our relationship with Him.
If we must boast about anything, it should be about knowing and following God.
Proverbs 11:28 also warns:
Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.
Money and success can disappear overnight.
Trusting in them or boasting about them is foolish.
Only what we do for God will truly last.
Bragging Can Lead to Destruction
Boasting may seem harmless, but the Bible warns that it can lead to destruction.
Psalm 10:3 says:
He boasts about the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord.
This verse shows that bragging is often tied to selfish desires and a rejection of God.
When we boast, we focus on ourselves instead of giving credit to God.
Proverbs 27:2 gives another strong warning:
Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.
This verse teaches us that if we are truly doing something good, others will recognize it.
We don’t need to promote ourselves—God will take care of that in His time.
Bragging puts the focus on us, but humility keeps the focus on God.
Jesus Taught Humility, Not Boasting
Jesus was the greatest person to ever walk the earth.
Yet, He never boasted about Himself.
Instead, He lived with humility.
Philippians 2:5-7 describes His attitude:
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant.
If anyone had a right to boast, it was Jesus.
Yet, He chose to serve instead of seek recognition.
He didn’t demand praise or show off His power.
Instead, He humbled Himself and put others first.
As followers of Christ, we are called to do the same.
Bragging goes against the example of Jesus.
If we want to be like Him, we must choose humility over pride.
Boasting in the Lord Is Different
While the Bible warns against bragging about ourselves, it does tell us to boast in one thing—God.
2 Corinthians 10:17 says:
But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
This means that if we are going to talk about something with pride, it should be about what God has done, not what we have done.
Paul, one of the greatest leaders of the early church, understood this well.
In Galatians 6:14, he said:
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul had every reason to brag—he had planted churches, performed miracles, and written much of the New Testament.
But he refused to take credit for any of it.
Instead, he pointed to Jesus as the source of all his success.
This is the right kind of boasting—one that gives glory to God, not ourselves.
How to Avoid Bragging
If we want to avoid the sin of boasting, we need to be intentional about our words and attitudes.
Here are a few ways we can keep pride in check:
Recognize that everything we have comes from God.
1 Corinthians 4:7 reminds us:
For who makes you different from anyone else?
What do you have that you did not receive?
And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
Everything good in our lives is a gift from God.
Instead of boasting, we should be thankful.
Give credit to God for our success.
When something good happens, we should use it as an opportunity to glorify God.
Instead of saying, “Look what I did,” we should say, “Look what God has done.”
Encourage others instead of promoting ourselves.
Instead of drawing attention to ourselves, we should use our words to lift others up.
Philippians 2:3 tells us:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.
By focusing on others, we shift the spotlight away from ourselves.
Final Thoughts
Bragging is a reflection of pride, and the Bible warns that pride leads to destruction.
Whether we are boasting about wealth, achievements, or future plans, we risk making ourselves the center of attention instead of giving glory to God.
Jesus showed us a different way.
He lived with humility and never sought to exalt Himself.
If we want to follow His example, we must resist the temptation to brag and instead give credit to God for all that we have.
So today, choose humility.
Let your actions speak for themselves.
And if you must boast, boast in the Lord.