In basketball a “technical foul” is a violation that does not involve physical contact. It’s given for displays of unsportsmanlike behavior. Of course, “tech’s” are frequently called as a result of a player’s frustration or when he’s been embarrassed, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes they’re given to players when things are absolutely going his way. In those cases a player receives a technical foul for taunting.
There is a conspicuous difference between celebrating a big play and taunting. Jumping up and down and pumping a fist in the air as you face the crowd is celebratory. Turning toward your opponent, flexing your muscles and victoriously yelling in his face is taunting. One is an outburst of excitement, and the other is intended to ridicule. One expresses euphoria and the other domination. One is about the joy of the experience and the other about the pride of the player.
In the ninth chapter of Jeremiah the prophet’s heart is heavy over the unbridled pride of the people. They are so full of themselves that they abandoned God and placed their trust in idols that they believe they could control. Jeremiah refers to them as “adulterers” and “a company of treacherous men.” The collective sin of the nation bore itself out in individually wickedness against each other. According to Jeremiah, “Everyone deceives his neighbor, and no one speaks the truth; they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves committing iniquity” (Jer. 9:5).
That led to a frightening description of how God planned to judge them, culminating with, “Thus declares the Lord, ‘The dead bodies of men shall fall like dung upon the open field, like sheaves after the reaper, and none shall gather them’” (Jer. 9:22). At this point in the chapter, however, there is a decisive turn. It’s here that God reveals the lesson.
Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.” (Jer. 9:23–24)
God placed His finger of judgment on the arrogant pride that turned their hearts from Him, then clarified the solution. Interestingly, He acknowledged their “boastfulness,” yet did not prohibit them from doing it. He redirected it. God addressed their specific sources of conceit—intellect, strength and wealth, and reoriented them toward the appropriate way to view them. Those strengths should drive them to seek to understand and know the Lord.
Boasting isn’t evil when any and all of it is directed to, and is about, the Almighty God. He even articulates what the grounds of boasting are. Of Himself, YHWH says, “I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice and righteousness in the earth.”
Here again is the conspicuous difference between self-promotion that taunts the Lord and a joyful celebration of His generosity. A godly response recognizes the existence of good gifts yet credits the benevolent King as the Giver.
Where does your attitude go when you enjoy success? What is your posture when you are credited with a victory? Is it an attitude and a posture that revels in personal dominance or one that celebrates the goodness of God? Make a habit of seeing success as a reason for divine dependence instead of self-reliance. Celebrate your acumen, athleticism and affluence by boasting about the character and work of God in your life. Redirect the boasting and sanctify your swagger.
For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? (1 Cor. 4:7)