James 3:5 KJV
[5] “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”
Have you ever met the man in our text? I call him the boaster. I’m not sure if this man has ever done anything of greatness in his life or not, and I’m not sure about his level of skill or ability. It is hard to tell because boasting about everything is what he does best. Some of this man’s boasting is true, but his boasting always leads to embellishment. To hear this man talk, he’s been everywhere, seen everything, and done everything better than anyone else.
He is his number one fan. He is a legend in his own mind and is constantly impressed with his accomplishments. He loves himself so much that he has no idea how annoying he is to those around him. He loves to hear himself talk, so he assumes that others do as well. He’s the kind of guy who doesn’t listen to others because he thinks what he has to say is more important than what you have to say. He is impatiently waiting for you to finish so he can tell you something bigger and better.
Whenever he does something or buys something, he makes sure everyone knows about it. His latest purchase is always the best you could buy at the best price. His accomplishment is always the greatest on record. His record, of course, is not factual.
The sad truth is that he cannot see how bad he makes himself look. He allows his tongue to go unfiltered and his ego to go unchecked. He stirs up a spirit of competition among those surrounding him and is a turn-off to those with whom he could have developed a great friendship. Do you know this man, or have you ever met him? Have you ever been him?