Christian swag?? - read and please leave comments

My homie Dre had a status up addressing whether "Christian swag" makes sense. This is what I was lead to write.

This is my take based on the origin of the word "swag." In the Webster's dictionary the 1st definition is sway...sway means fluctuating, oscillating, i.e. going back and forth. In James chapter 1 it speaks about asking for wisdom and having faith when you ask and not doubt for then you are double-minded, unstable in all your ways. It goes on further to speak of God as unchanging, that He is not like shifting shadows. If the 1st definition of swag speaks to fluctuating, going back and forth how can we as Christians say that we have "swag?"

The 2nd defition speaks to a decoration that hangs between two points, one that droops, is curved. But we're not called to be curved or crooked. Prov 10:9 says "People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall."

The 3rd definition speaks to loot, goods acquired by unlawful means. We are commanded in Exodus 20 to not steal.

The 4th defnition says "a depression in the earth." Depression is a state of being sad, lowering of functional activity, loss of quality...we are the salt of the earth. We are to bring flavor, life, enhance the earth not lower its value or quality.

The 5th definition states it as a pack of personal belongings as understood to Australians or to travel about carrying one's bundle of personal belongings. This sounds like a weight, a burden. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." The psalmist in Ps 68:19 says "Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens."

With all that said we as Christians DO NOT have swag. We are NOT to sway, we are NOT to be crooked, we DO NOT steal, we are NOT sad or depreciating the earth's value and we DEFINITELY DO NOT carry a burden. So having "Christian swag" or "Jesus swag" is a scheme of the enemy, a means for him to infiltrate and influence the minds of Christians, especially young people so that they do not function as God intended for them to function.

We have the Holy Spirit abiding in us. The power that's available there is infinite; it's abounding! Saying as Christians I got "swag" or my "Swag speaks for me" is a ploy of the enemy to replace the Holy Spirit, to not truly acknowledge the power and strength God promised from so long ago. You're speaking into your life something that is not the Word, something that is not TRUTH. And Jesus said "then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32). But if you aren't speaking truth into your life then you are wrapping yourself in bondage. Jesus prayed in John 17 "Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth." The only way for us to be holy is to know the truth. SWAG is NOT truth.

Now "swagger" as defined by the Webster's dictionary is "to conduct oneself in an arrogant or superciliously pompous manner ; especially : to walk with an air of overbearing self-confidence." Superciliously is defined as "coolly and patronizingly haughty." All in all "swagger" is pride, it is being boastful. Ps 10:4 states " In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God." Proverbs speaks to pride in more than one verse.

Prov 11:12 - When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humilty comes wisdom.
Prov 13:10 - Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
Prov 16:18 - Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

We are called to be humble. Paul exhorts us in Philippians 2 to have the mind or attitude of Christ. Phil 2:7 "Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being." If Jesus who is God could humble himself to become lower than the angels didn't walk around in arrogance or pride then who are we to be walking around haughtily? Jesus humbled himself and washed his disciples' feet in John 13. He led by example to show us what it means to be humble. Swagger is not humility. Swagger is not biblical.

Both words (swag and swagger) have different meanings. But both meanings are contrary to the Word of God, contrary to the truth. As 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 states "But let him who boasts boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends." Let God approve and commend you. Don't do it yourself; only boast in the Lord.

Quick FYI

So this is just to let the masses know.....I am the salt of the earth and will add my flavor to it. I am the light of the world, a city set on a hill that CANNOT be hidden!! Therefore, I WILL let my light shine so that men may see my good works and glorify my Father in heaven. I will operate with boldness through the power that lies within me, the power of the Holy Spirit.

Secondly, my heart belongs solely to God and NO ONE else!!!! To everyone, in order to get close to me, to be my friend, brother, sister, companion, husband...you MUST dwell ad belong to God also. If you want to find me, if you want to find my heart, if you want to have any part in my life then you have to go through my DADDY!!!

Blessings til next time!