Perhaps the most boring people in the world are those who enjoy heaping praise on themselves. They have a view of themselves that far exceeds the reality of who they are and what they have accomplished in life. As one person so aptly said, “They have ‘I’ problems” - “I have done this and I have done that and I am better than you are and my opinions about myself are trustworthy, reliable and verifiable. And if you do not believe me, ask me and I’ll go into more detail and explain more clearly what I have already achieved in life with more to come.”
Solomon must have known people who were not only self-centered, but self-sufficient, self-serving and self-satisfied. They had completed a “self-evaluation” survey and broken all previous records. Wisely, Solomon provided some sound advice for those who fall into that category: “Let other people praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.”
“Praise” is not the problem. If we see someone doing something that is commendable, helpful, kind and gracious in serving others on behalf of God, they are certainly worthy of recognition. So, being recognized or praised is not the problem either.
The problem lies in the fact when we evaluate ourselves by ourselves we normally overlook our flaws and frailties and “think more highly of ourselves than we ought to.”
Jesus said it best: “I am not seeking glory for myself.” If we glorify God, others will praise our works.
Prayer: We pray, Father, for an attitude of humility as we work to bring honor and glory to Your name! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture for Today: Proverbs 27:2 Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.
No comments:
Post a Comment