boasting instructions, pt. 1

Normally, bragging or boasting is not a good thing.  The Bible is clear that pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall (Prov. 16:18).  There is a an articulate suggestion in the book of Jeremiah about boasting.  It is literally "boasting instructions".  First.  He describes how not to boast.  The three things that most people work all of their life for are in that list. 
Jer. 9:23    “‘This is what the LORD says:
    The wise person should not boast in his wisdom;
    the strong should not boast in his strength;
    the wealthy should not boast in his wealth.

That covers just about everything.  I notice that the way Jeremiah introduces his instructions is by quoting from the Lord.  "This is what the Lord says".  Now we know what not to do, it's half the battle!  The next verse tells us what TO DO
Praise God!