But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. James 4:16.
If men could see for a moment beyond the range of finite vision, if they could catch a glimpse of the Eternal, every mouth would be stopped in its boasting.—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 66.
It is a wicked pride that delights in the vanity of one’s own works, that boasts of one’s excellent qualities, seeking to make others seem inferior in order to exalt self, claiming more glory than the cold heart is willing to give to God. The disciples of Christ will heed the Master’s instruction. He has bidden us love one another even as He has loved us.—Testimonies for the Church 4:223.
Love rejoices in the truth, and institutes no envious comparisons. He who possesses love compares only the loveliness of Christ and his own imperfect character.... There is no religion in the enthronement of self. He who makes self-glorification his aim will find himself destitute of that grace which alone can make him efficient in Christ’s service. Whenever pride and self-complacency are indulged, the work is marred.... The smallest duty done in sincerity and self-forgetfulness is more pleasing to God than the greatest work when marred with self-seeking.—Christ’s Object Lessons, 402.
Every man who praises himself, brushes the luster from his best efforts.—Testimonies for the Church 4:607.
All boasting of merit in ourselves is out of place.—Christ’s Object Lessons, 401.
From Radiant Religion - Page 226
Radiant Religion
Thought for the Day
In the estimation of Heaven, what is it that constitutes greatness? Not that which the world accounts greatness; not wealth, or rank, or noble descent, or intellectual gifts, in themselves considered. If intellectual greatness, apart from any higher consideration, is worthy of honor, then our homage is due to Satan, whose intellectual power no man has ever equaled. But when perverted to self-serving, the greater the gift, the greater curse it becomes. It is moral worth that God values. Love and purity are the attributes He prizes most.... Unselfish joy in the ministry of Christ presents the highest type of nobility ever revealed in man. Desire of Ages, p. 219