God Will Be Pleased

Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.

Proverbs 27:2 (NIV)

It is human nature to want to be seen and applauded by others. It is an innate desire that no one can help but feel. Some understand this and try to manage its impact on their lives, while others indulge in it so much that they actively seek it out. By constantly seeking the praise and admiration of others, they become arrogant and lose their moral virtues. If they don't receive it, they boast about their accomplishments themselves, and for them, this is normal. What they don't understand is that such an attitude is called pride. There is no other definition to mitigate it.

If you manage to accomplish something wonderful in your life, regardless of the effort you put into it, it is not for you to boast about your success. Let others do it for you, because when you do it, it is no longer the accomplishment that becomes important, but it is you that you want people to see. That is where you fall under the weight of the verse that says: "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." When you persist in boasting to highlight yourself, neither you nor your achievement will ultimately retain their value.

When God allows you to accomplish something, whether professionally or for the edification of His people, remember what Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:31: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." Give glory to God for giving you the ability and for using you for His glory instead of trying to boast to draw attention to yourself. It is always better when others praise our actions. God Himself praised Abraham for his faith and Job for his integrity. He said of Moses that He spoke to him as a friend. When you allow others to praise you, even God will be pleased.

May the grace and peace of God be with you all.