Receiving Praise from Others

It’s natural to want to receive praise. Praise gives us confidence and helps us know if others are pleased with us or disappointed. Praise can encourage us and give us a sense of fulfillment and purpose. But praise also can be a kind of poison.

The Bible warns us not to praise ourselves but to let our work speak for itself. We should focus on doing everything as unto the Lord, making sure He is pleased with our attitude, our work, and every other area of our lives.

The Bible also warns that we will be tested by the praise we receive. When people compliment us or praise our work, we are tested in the same way metals are heated and tested in a crucible. Unless we are grounded in humility, receiving praise can cause us to lose perspective, becoming proud and overconfident.

Yet receiving praise provides us with an opportunity to see our real character and motivation. It shows us whether our goal is to get attention or to serve God.

We see Jesus’ attitude toward praise when He came to Jerusalem during the Passover. Intrigued by the signs He had done, “many believed in His name.” But Jesus understood the real nature of this praise. He “was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men.” And He “knew what was in man” (John 2:23-25).

He had another opportunity riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. The crowds shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” (Matthew 21:9). But within days, the crowds would cry out for Him to be crucified.

In your life, remember that people can be fickle. Don’t live for their praise but focus on serving God, doing everything with excellence unto Him. Be His servant, seeking to please Him in everything you do.