Praise

Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. Proverbs 27:2 ESV

Solomon doesn't even need to explain himself in this proverb. We know that if we praise ourselves, that's pretty arrogant. So we're encouraged to not do that. 

We're not to encourage others to praise us, but if they do, that praise is probably well deserved. We all remember that kid growing up who used to blow his own trumpet about how amazing he was. We also remember how unattractive that was!

 If that childish trait of going on about how amazing we are continues into adulthood, that's really unpleasant! Let a stranger compliment you, not your own lips. To be honest, self promotion comes naturally to us. 

I'm like a magnet with pianos- whenever I see one I feel compelled to play it. When I ask permission I'm sometimes asked if I'm good. I might admit I'm rather accomplished, but really I should let my hearers be the judges of whether I play the piano well! 

"God our Lord, You are great, and greatly to be praised. May we become like You, not so that we're praiseworthy so much as for Your honour and glory, in Christ's name, amen"

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