“The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but people are tested by their praise.”
A weak person buys into their own press. They will believe the praise they receive is truly warranted. The wise person hears praise and knows it is a reflection of God working in them, with them and through them. Or it’s phony. When it’s deserved they handle it with a genuine humility that recognizes the true source of all good in their story. We have all seen those who believe they are worthy of the praise they receive. It is an obnoxious sight. Modesty from the truly gifted is an amazing sight to behold. It is a beautiful reflection of God. False humility is not the answer. Thankfully, this verse, as with all of scripture, is not written for us to determine who is being prideful or expressing false humility. This truth is for us. It is used by the Holy Spirit to evaluate our walk. Do we handle praise and recognition in a way that points others to the works of God in and through our lives or do we falsely believe we earned it on our own. It can be a difficult transition from one to the other. It is a sign of maturity to grow in this area. Today walk humbly with God. #BeTheEdge
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 NIV
