Perhaps the most boring people in the world are those who enjoy heaping praises 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 for what we have done is not the problem either.
The problem lies in the fact that if we evaluate ourselves by ourselves for ourselves, we usually overlook our flaws 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, and we will give God the credit for the gifts He has given us!
Prayer: We pray, Father, for an attitude of humility and a life of integrity as we work with Your Son to bring honor, glory, praise, and thanksgiving to Your name! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture For Today: Proverbs 27:2 Let other people praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.
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