Power in Praise

Mention character and what comes into your mind? Possibly phrases such as, “she/he is quite a character!” or perhaps a particular definition such as “they have a generous, patient or weak character; they have a strong personality; they have a character flaw.” A child’s character is sometimes described as being strong-willed.

Our character is influenced by many things and/or people early in our life; parents, teachers, peers, television, movies, Sunday school teachers, etc. The strength of one’s character includes forgiveness, not getting even for wrongs that have been done to us; helping those who are less fortunate than us; standing in the face of adversity and determining never to give up; being honest when confronted with an opportunity to lie or cheat…even when no one is watching.

Galatians 5:22-26 reveals not only an inward but also an outward manifestation of a character that has been renewed by the Spirit of God--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and self-control. At any given moment in our day, these characteristics will be tested by those around us, sometimes unintentional and others times very much intentional. It has been said if we want to learn patience we need to be around those who will push us to the limit. We almost come to expect the testing of these characteristics.

But the hidden test to the strength or quality of our character is one we don’t expect. One that can so easily sneak up behind us and knock us off balance when we least expect it. It is the test of praise we receive from others. Praise from others can bring moments of awkwardness or embarrassment, but I never thought of it as a test of my character until I read this verse: “The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.” (Prov 27:21).

Praise…admiration…applause…honor from others can very quickly turn into self-importance, smugness and even pride. If not careful, we can even determine our self-worth based upon the praise we receive from others. What we do with praise is as critical as how and why we use the gifts and talents that resulted in the praise.

After Paul described the Spirit controlled life he gave this admonition: “Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”(Gal 5:26 NIV) Other versions say; “not become boastful, challenging one another; compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better than the other; competitive, irritating to one another, being jealous of one another.”

Paul has just described release from a sinful nature into the glorious fruit of Christ’s nature within us and almost is the same breath ends with this warning. Why? Because even Paul understood the fragility of our human nature. Not always, but there are times when God moves in and through us to those around us that our old nature will raise its ugly head and enjoy, if not seek, the approval and admiration of others.
Dare I say even Paul struggled with this when he said, “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh.” (2 Cor 12:7)

So how do we guard against self deception and come through the test of praise?

1. First and foremost praise is reserved for God. Of the over 350 mentions of praise in the Bible at least 99% are directed to God. Praise is a form of worship. When we seek out praise from others, we make an idol of ourselves and God said there is to be no other Gods before us but Him.
2. We are to encourage one another…not praise one another—“that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.” Romans 1:11-13; Moses encouraged Joshua (Deut 1:32); the early believers encouraged one another in their faith, using the gifts and talents God gave (Acts 15:32; Acts 3:15; 16:40; 18:27; 20:2). Be cautious how we offer encouragement so the “praise” will always go to God working in and through the individual.
3. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. (Col 3:23)
4. It is the Lord we are serving, and the reward we receive from God will far outweigh any praise from men (Col 3:24)
5. Let us not become weary in doing good…even when no one notices, God does! (Gal 6:9)
6. Let the praise bestowed upon us be an opportunity to boast about the power of Christ. (2 Cor 12:7-10)

There is power in praise! Satan will use anything to deflect the praise away from God. Let us be careful whose power we welcome and want to be aligned with.

Hallelujah! You who serve GOD, praise GOD!
Just to speak his name is praise!
Just to remember GOD is a blessing—
now and tomorrow and always.
From east to west, from dawn to dusk,
keep lifting all your praises to GOD!

Psalms113:1-3 (The Message)