The Humble Heart - 1 Peter 5: 5-6

1 Peter 5: 5-6: Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility towards one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you.
We often encounter it daily. The brash and often outlandish self-inflating ego who, at best we simply learn to ignore and at worst, forces us to walk away. I never could understand why it was so important for some people to "toot their own horn." Were they ignored as children? Is it a part of an immaturity that they simply can’t grow out of? Was it fostered into them by doting parents?
None of us enjoy being around a braggart. This self-inflating type of posturing is boring and will try the patience of even the most Godly man or woman. And excusing one’s self-boasting with a quip such as, "You know I’m only kidding," works once, but when the kidding becomes incessant then it is a safe bet that you are experiencing the exhibition of this individual’s sinful pride.
Pride was the first sin and that’s why it is so diabolical. It was Satan’s sin and all other sins have their root in it. Consistent self-inflation can accurately be described as a sinful lifestyle. The surest and truest sense of self-esteem doesn’t come from patting one’s self on the back or boasting about one’s accomplishments; it comes from the possession of a contrite and humble heart. A truly humble heart needs no "ego re-enforcement or reassurance;" all its needs are provided for by the grace of God. And sufficient grace is given to those who will humble themselves before their fellow man and God.
James 4: 6- But He gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
God sees strength in our weaknesses, not our feigned strengths -
1 Corinthians 1: 27 - "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. . . ."
If we will but humble our selves and refuse to let pride raise its ugly head in our lives God’s promise of grace and glorification can be assured to all who have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior. Self-flattery rings hollow and only the perpetrator hears soothing music; the rest of us just hear the noise.
James 4: 10 - Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.