Whenever you try to impress others you may be tempted to exaggerate. As you boast you may begin to manipulate the truth. As you seek to get others to admire you, you perhaps do not care that much about what is actually true. You try to evoke a reaction from others. You choose your words so as to reach that goal.

Boasting does not necessarily imply being untruthful. Yet it seems to me, boasting and lying might very well be close relatives.

I guess you will recall that the Christian faith does not recommend speaking lies. One of the Ten Commandments may be paraphrased, saying: Do not lie.

Paul exhorts the Colossian Christians: “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” (Colossians 3:9/NIV). As Christians we ought to avoid speaking lies. Even when referring to our own skills, achievements and possessions we ought to be truthful.

What makes people boast and exaggerate? Some will try to compensate low self-esteem. Some may have a job that does not provide them a sense of achievement and well done. They try to make up for that. They try to tell some impressive tales to get others to adore them.

Admittedly, I am neither a psychologist nor an empirical sociologist. In other words what I have said above may not be a fitting description of human attitudes. But at least it is an attempt and guess work.

Whatever needs people are trying to satisfy when boasting and exaggerating, I feel the bible suggests another way how These needs could be met. Christian believers are to love each other. An atmosphere of mutual love and respect can heal many wounds. It can help to overcome feelings of disappointment and dissatisfaction.

Christian love is not based on our achievements. It hinges on the fact that God has loved us.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16/KJV).