Let Another Praise You (Humility)

"Let another praise you and not your own mouth; a stranger and not your own lipe" (Proverbs 27:2 ESV).

There may be good reason for praising something successful and the one who worked hard to achive a goal.  But this verse tells us to let others do the praising.

I'd say its okay to compete, to have excellence and success in various pursuits a person can have.  It's good to do and be the best we can but don't praise yourself upon the accomplishments.  This seems to be the verse's sentiments God wants us to know.

Success and praise can become idols and be hindrances to growing humility in our Christian lives.  We need to walk humbly with the Lord.  In fact, humility is what the Lord requires of us (see Micah 6:8 NKJV).

Think about the Apostle Paul.  He had the finest of pedigrees.  Top education, straight A's, so to speak, the best of Pharisees, abiding religiously correct to God's Laws and among other things, top grade.  He had had such great success and acclaim in his life.

But in the end, he actually considered the accomplishements as "rubbish" (see Philippians 3:8).  Why?  He said this because he wanted to gain Christ in his life, to have Christ's righteousness and goodness instead of banking on his own merits.

And he did have much to boast about.  You can read the list in 2 Corinthians 11:16-12:10.  But he said not to put confidence in ourselves.  We need the confidence that comes from God to make us complete, which we can't achieve from all our earthly successes (see 2 Corinthians 3:1-4).

He practiced what he preached, too.  Remember Phoebe?  She was one Paul commended and praised to the Romans.  It wasn't because of her beauty and charm - we're not told about that.  But because she had been such a help and blessing to many, including Paul himself.

In the same passage, Paul names several others like Priscilla and Aquila, his fellowworkers who risked their lives for him.  The church also met in their home.  The list goes on (see Romans 16).

So even if we have swimming success in whatever we do, be sure to boast about what our Lord and Savior has done for us.  Be sure to thank Him for it too.

As we practice this daily, humility we'll have more fertile ground in which to grow humility within us and govern our lives.  Let's seek this outcome and give God the praise.

Father God, may the humility and attitude of Jesus characterize me too.  Work it into my life so all my praise and worship goes to You and Your Son Jesus.  In Jesus' name I ask.  Amen.

                                               ~ ERC  December 2025 ~

Based on Proverbs 27:2; Jeremiah 9:23-24 and 1 Corinthians 1:31 ESV.

Sing, Praise the Savior, along with Songs From Scripture (Abe & Liza Philip).  Or here's another version of it with choir input from Martijin de Groot and Grace Community Church.