Tested by Praise
May 30, 2023
We love compliments. We savor words of praise. Great job. Great effort. Skillfully negotiated. One would think compliments build us up. But there’s a danger. Proverbs 27: 21 reminds us that a person is tested by being praised. Examples in Scripture clearly show us that success can breed pride. Accomplishments can be claimed as our own doing ignoring that we are only what God has created us to be. We only achieve what he allows us to achieve.
The late Robert Little, who was the radio pastor of Moody Broadcasting at one time, avoided hearing compliments and avoided any praise when He could. He felt that would diminish his rewards in Heaven. That’s where he yearned to hear the praise that matters most. “Well done; you’re home.”
Yes, compliment and encourage. They, in turn, thank God.