“How can you believe, when you accept praise from
one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?”
John 5:44
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It’s quite normal and healthy
for a parent to praise a young child for the good that they do. This
healthy positive reinforcement is a way of teaching them the importance
of doing good and avoiding what’s wrong. But human praise is not an
infallible guide of what is right and wrong. In fact, when human praise
is not based in the truth of God, it does great damage.
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This short Scripture quote
above comes from a lengthy teaching from Jesus about the difference
between human praise and “the praise that comes only from God.” Jesus
makes it clear that the only thing that has value is the praise that
comes from God alone. In fact, earlier in this Gospel, Jesus says
clearly, “I do not accept human praise…” Why is that?
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Turning back to the example of
a parent praising a child for the good they do, when the praise they
offer is truly a praise of their goodness, then this is much more than
human praise. It is praise from God given through a parent. A parent’s
duty must be to teach right from wrong in accord with the will of God.
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As for the “human praise” of
which Jesus speaks, this is clearly praise of another that is void of
the truthfulness of God. In other words, Jesus is saying that if someone
were to praise Him for something that did not originate from the Father
in Heaven, He would reject it. For example, if someone were to say of
Jesus, “I think He would be a great governor of our nation because he
could lead a revolt against the current leadership.” Obviously such
“praise” would be rejected.
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The bottom line is that we
must praise one another, but our praise must only be that which
originates from God. Our words must be spoken only in accord with the
Truth. Our admiration must only be of that which is the presence of God
alive in others. Otherwise, if we praise others based on worldly or
self-centered values, we only encourage them in sin.
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Reflect, today, upon the
praise you give and receive. Do you allow misguided praise of others to
misdirect you in life? And when you compliment and praise another, is
that praise based on the Truth of God and directed to His glory? Seek to
give and receive praise only when it is grounded in the Truth of God
and directs all to His glory.
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My praiseworthy Lord, I do
thank You and praise You for Your perfect goodness. I thank You for the
way that You act in perfect union with the will of the Father. Help me
to listen only to Your voice in this life and to reject all the
misleading and confusing voices of the world. May my values and choices
be guided by You and You alone. Jesus, I trust in You. | |
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