“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” Proverbs 27:2
Devotional Thought For The Day
Most people have learned that it is not all that pleasant to hear a person run on and on about how great they are. Whether it is some great accomplishment, some great skill, some great aptitude, or even some great “blessing” they have received, most of us would prefer to supply congratulations or admiration on our own rather than having to hear another crowing about it. So we have learned to be very subtle in praising ourselves, merely relaying anecdotes that paint us in a very positive light and passingly inform others of our powers, abilities, victories, and “greatness.” Unfortunately, this usually does not pass the smell test either, and this kind of informative “non-boasting” is also wearisome and tiring. There are still some people, however, many who are looked up to by younger people, who do believe in bravado and swagger – and so we see them puffing themselves up on television, boasting about what they have done and are capable of doing. Some of this rubs off on the naive and then we have to endure it in person. Hopefully as we grow older we recognize the absurdity of this and the disgust it generates, and adopt the wisdom of this proverb.
So it is obviously better to wait for another to praise us rather than engaging in self-praise and pride. The proverb that “pride goes before the fall” reflects the reality that no human being is all that glorious, no human being is superman, no human being is invincible, no human being can’t be taken down – and one’s boasting only increases the number of people eager to see it happen. The sting of failure and defeat is multiplied when a braggart must immediately face the taunts and jeers of those who are wearied by his self-inflation and arrogance. So the effort to somehow “gain” socially by self-proclamation of one’s greatness is actually counter-productive – the only one convinced of a boaster’s greatness is perhaps the boaster, although we should recognize that such bragging is often a sign of inner fear and insecurity.
Those who are properly repentant and who know that it is God “who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” [Phil. 2:13], get to a point where they are uncomfortable even receiving praise from others. We recognize that we have far more sin and guilt than we have holiness or praiseworthy characteristics and accomplishments. We realize that if any good ever comes from us it is actually coming from God, through us and almost always in spite of us. So there is discomfort in receiving any praise – all glory, honor, and praise properly belongs to God. And somehow, even when we deflect praise by saying something like “give God the glory,” it ends up sounding sanctimonious and arrogant. Ughh! So perhaps we get to a point where we would just as soon be a wallflower – not noticed or praised by anyone. Or at the least, we end up deeply humbled whenever anyone praises us.
It is difficult, this whole matter of wanting and needing to be “praiseworthy” to others. It tends to be corrupting or at best of mere superficial value. It is true that we should bring pleasure to others by our obedience, devotion, performance, and behavior. However, the aim should not be to “please” them and gain praise, but rather to serve God by truly serving others. There are many times when the only reason we do “good” to others is to gain praise – and we are bitterly disappointed when our deeds are under-appreciated. And there are times when we do “good” and end up thoroughly criticized and condemned by others – who would have preferred we do evil. The Lord Jesus is the best example of dealing with praise – He did all that He did for the greatest blessing of mankind, bringing us redemption and eternal salvation, regardless of the praise or scorn that His words and actions brought. It was love that moved Him, not need or desire for approval. Knowing that we have God’s approval, in His gracious forgiveness and love in Christ Jesus, can become enough approval for us, so that we too do all that we do out of love. Then the praise and glory truly is His, which is as it should be.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, You know our insecurity and our fears, and our compulsion to be appreciated and liked. You also know our pride and our desire for ascendency and high status. Forgive us for our lack of faith and trust in You, and our unwillingness to give all praise and glory to You. Keep us humble in regard to ourselves, but at peace and confident in the love You have for us, so that we may be freed and empowered to truly love – to the praise of Your glorious grace. Amen.