It’s Graduation Season here in Texas with celebrations of educational achievements by students from pre-kindergartens to high schools to universities.  The annual Graduation Season traditionally begins with university grads walking across the stage in early May and culminates with high school ceremonies in early June. Diplomas and degrees give each graduate their credentials with accompanying rights and privileges as specified. Each person deserves to be recognized and honored for their achievements, but graduates (and everyone else) should beware of the dangers of a prideful spirit.

Confidence rooted in humble dependence on God is far different than a boastful, self-serving pride. The challenge by the prophet Jeremiah to the 6^th century BC Israelites is applicable to any and all who are honored for their accomplishments. Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; ²⁴ but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23-24

Pride is listed as one of the seven deadly sins, and indeed pride is toxic.  Arrogance is certainly a killer of relationships, undermines unity in any organization, sabotages the fellowship of the Church, corrupts the government, and destabilizes the culture to its very core. Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

  Nebuchadnezzar was the King of Babylon who destroyed Jerusalem a short time after Jeremiah prophesied to that city.  This king was the most powerful man in the world as the Babylonian Empire controlled all nations including Israel.  He was also very self-centered and boastful of his power and wealth. The prophet Daniel bluntly spoke God’s message to the king and warned him to repent of his sin and acknowledge God’s power. Instead, King Nebuchadnezzar continued to boast in himself and did not worship God. His attitude was…  Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” Daniel 4:30 Immediately after this incident, Nebuchadnezzar literally lost his mind. At the height of his power, he began behaving as an animal. Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.  You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Daniel 4:31-32  As prophesied, Nebuchadnezzar’s mind and sanity was restored after seven years.    He then expressed a far different attitude as he boasted in the Lord, instead of himself.  I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion;   his kingdom endures from generation to generation. Daniel 4:34  

The accomplishments of kings, students, grads, moms, dads, employers, employees, athletes, entrepreneurs, should all be celebrated. As Nebuchadnezzar testified and Jeremiah instructed, celebration of accomplishments must always be centered in humble recognition that God is in control. Thus boast in the Lord is when you gratefully worship God as the great Giver of all gifts.