Fame Is Just a Test

Proverbs 27:21: Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but a person is tested by being praised.

We have all heard of people "changing" when they get promoted or "power getting to people's heads", but here we have a verse that says that "fame" is just a test. This is meaning that when you get a like, recognition, a compliment, praise, accommodation, a promotion, or an award, it's actually a test to see how you respond. Do you take the glory and become prideful saying to yourself "Look what I have become and done on my own."? What do you do with accommodation? Many of us keep on the path of trying to get more likes and validation from employers, forgetting to take a step back and make sure the team around us also gets accommodation since we already got ours. We also forget sometimes the team who got us there because we get centrally focused on ourselves. How do you handle praise? What do you praise? Musicians? Athletes? Beauty? Looks? Wisdom? What you praise speaks of your character. Just click search on your Instagram feed and it will begin to generate photos of pictures similar to things and people you have praised. Puppies, weightlifters, the military, cars, and so on.

What you do with praise reflects who you are. A wise man or woman will give glory to God when they are praised. He created us so we thank Him for this. He gives us our talents, so we thank Him for the ability to steward them correctly. We do not know how long we will have the talents He gives us. He gives us the ability and health to work for our money. He gives us leadership abilities and opportunities, so we also thank Him. Today let's thank Him for every gift He gives us and every word of praise. Also, speak well of others but refrain from lifting yourself up.

Proverbs 27:2 "Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips." Many of us are constantly marketing ourselves and have little to no self-awareness. Don’t sell, attract. Use your tongue to praise others not yourself.

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