Tooting our own horn isn’t a problem for many people when it comes to their accomplishments and vanities. We know the saying, ‘if you don’t toot your own horn, no one else will.’
GOATs, people deemed the greatest of all time, in business, sports, science, medicine, and other sectors of society, don’t have to toot their own horns. Many are icons and household names.
In contrast, people rarely describe themselves as the worst at anything, especially the worst human being. They are more apt to say there is someone worse or more devilish than they are.
Who wants to be at the bottom of the barrel as a human being? Who would toot their horn about being a rotten or evil person?
Is being the chief sinner or the worst sinner the bottom of the barrel? People may label someone as the bigger sinner, the most wicked, or the most evil person. Who would label themselves with either of these horrible names?
I haven’t read anything in the Bible that says, ‘speak not evil of yourself,’ but the Bible does caution us not to speak evil of others. The Bible advises us to have clean, pure thoughts and states that one’s thoughts should be virtuous and tongue compassionate.
James 4:11 says, ” Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.”
Let’s be honest, we’re all sin, but we would consider ourselves an Indian, not a chief, as far as being the biggest sinner.
The Apostle Paul called himself the chief sinner and proclaimed it to the world. In this regard, who would have been worse than he was? Not many, if any, as far as he was concerned. Saul, Paul’s former self and a sinner, persecuted and authorized the jailing and killing of Christians.
Jesus revealed himself to Saul and changed his name to Paul. Considering himself to have been the worst of sinners, Paul’s testimony was the greater relative to his wrongdoings, repentance, belief, and conversion in Christ.
Paul relates that his wrongdoings were a result of his unbelief in Christ and his ignorance of Christ’s mercy and grace of salvation, which is available to all, including himself. Christ had considered him trustworthy to be a witness for him and serve in his ministry.
In 1 Timothy 1:15-16, Paul says, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
But for that very reason, I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.”
Paul tooted his horn about his conversion on the Damascus Road, but he also let us know that he was the worst of sinners.
There is nothing good about sin; so, there is no morally good sinner.
We can thank God for Paul’s testimony, who reminds the world that Christ came to save the worst of sinners and wicked people.
From sinners to saints, we can testify about the mercy and salvation of Jesus Christ.
I hope you are happy and well.