Two Areas to Avoid
Proverbs 27:1-2 NLT
1 Don't brag about tomorrow,
since you don't know what the day will bring.
2 Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth—
a stranger, not your own lips.
Here is some great practical advice. These two verses tell us some things to avoid doing. These two things are not necessarily sins, but they can make you appear to be someone who is fixated on themselves.
Don't brag about tomorrow. Notice, it did not say, don't plan for tomorrow. Nor did it say don't speak positively about tomorrow. It says don't brag about tomorrow. When you are bragging about tomorrow, you are bragging about what has not happened yet. You are bragging about what you have not done. It's really not a good idea to brag about what you have done. But bragging about what you are going to do will make you sound foolish.
In the Old Testament, there was the story of a king who was bragging about what he was going to do to Israel. And the reply to him reads like some great Old Testament trash talk. "The king of Israel answered, 'Tell him: 'One who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off.'" 1 Kings 20:11 NKJ. The NLT makes this response a bit clearer. "The king of Israel sent back this answer: "A warrior putting on his sword for battle should not boast like a warrior who has already won." There is some great wisdom. Avoid bragging about what you have not done. And when you do something, give God thanks and glory.
The second verse is similar and pretty much a direct counter to our selfie, post-all–about-it culture. Let someone else praise you, not your own post; I mean, your own lips. To praise yourself, you are in essence bragging on yourself. It will come off a whole lot better if you will avoid praising yourself and let someone else praise you. The rub here is the old adage that he who does not toot his own horn will not be tooted. Please keep in mind that the tooting of the horn is not scripture. The selfish me-oriented world we live in wants to be noticed, even to the point of calling attention to ourselves. But that's not a Kingdom of God principle. His way is to bless and honor others, not us. Jesus got on to the Pharisees because of their penchant for exalting themselves and not seeking the honor that comes from God. The glory, honor, and praise from men are short-lived and cheap in comparison with the honor that comes from the Lord.
Avoid bragging about ourselves and what we have not yet done. And when praise does come our way, remember to give thanks to the very One who holds our life and ways in His hands.