Don't Praise Yourself

Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.

(Proverbs 27:2)

Meditation

I know a lot of people who hate it so much when they accomplish a difficult task, and no one notices or says anything. I think everyone likes to be recognized for a job well done. The ones that don’t get the sought-after acknowledgement usually developed a bad habit of bragging about what a good job they do. It’s alright to feel good about your work, but it’s quite another to have a need to praise yourself when others don’t. After Christ takes the reins of your life, it’s important to work for the glory of God. If and when praise comes your way that’s fine, but not if you’re the one patting yourself on the back. The only thing you are showing is how shallow and self-centered you are.

The things you do, now that you’ve been saved, whether for your church or not, do because of your love for Jesus and for others. Quite often your good works will be noticed and praised by others, but, by God’s grace, no bragging should come from your mouth. These days, the things you do for others are a tool for witnessing to unbelievers. For instances, I don’t share these meditations to boast about it to anyone, but I do appreciate it when someone likes what I’ve written. My prayer is always that my thoughts will encourage the reader to think about what God has said through his scriptures. My cogitations about these verses are not intended to make anyone believe exactly the way I believe, but to contemplate what God is personally saying to them.

Today we stand on the shoulders of the giants of the faith who have done great things and never once boasted about themselves. Of the twelve apostles, we only know for sure how three of them died. They didn’t evangelize the world to beat their own chests and tell everyone how great they were. They did it to share Christ. Our individual churches have many who volunteer their time, talents and efforts and never receive recognition. They do it for their love for Christ. That is the way we should always be. We are all lost sinners. No one is greater than any other. The ones who find it necessary to tell others what great people they are, or how much work they do for the kingdom of God, have a deep-seated lack of self-esteem. Jesus will help you realize that bragging was how you were trying to overcome your insecurities.

Daily Prayer

Father God we love you and praise your holy name. You are the only being in the whole universe who we should boast about, and we, ourselves, are the least. Any ability we have to make a living, play a sport, or communicate with others was given to us by you. There is nothing we can do well that did not come from you. You have given each of us different talents and abilities, so we have nothing to brag to others about. Please Lord take away our need to be commended by others but learn to graciously accept their praise and give you the glory. When the pats on the back don’t come, keep us from praising ourselves. We are a fragile people, Lord, whose egos get damaged when the desired acclamation does not come. We are always tempted to let everyone know what a good job we’ve done, but self-praise is hollow at best. The one who matters, the one who will reward us, is you. Help us to always focus our efforts in pleasing you and doing the work of your kingdom. It’s in Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!