From Compliment To Praise

Proverbs 27:19 and 21 “As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person. 21 Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but a person is tested by being praised.” ~NLT

Some of us have a difficult time accepting compliments. Especially when it comes to Christians. If we are not bowing our heads indicating ‘we are not worthy’, we are usually giving glory to God. We say, “It’s God’s glory not mine.”  

There is nothing wrong with giving God the glory. In fact this is what we must do. The problem comes when this statement becomes automatic and we say it without even thinking about God. In other words, we say it just to look good, appearing to pass the compliment on, but realistically keeping it within ourselves. 

We must be sincere when we include God in our statements. In saying this, it is ok to tell someone, “Thank you.” Then in prayer and praise, thank God, “...for the blessing of allowing others to see You (Lord), in me!” Instead of keeping it, we must pass the blessing of the compliment, that we receive, on to God in praise. If we keep the compliment without passing praise to God, we risk infecting ourselves with pride and what we become is not what God created us to be.

Pass the praise on to God, and we will make room to receive humility. With this, others will see God in us. He will be pleased with the godly life we are living, when we pass the test of, "...being praised..." May God continue to bless and keep us in His awesome grace as we walk in Jesus’ name.

Amen

---