TESTED BY PRAISE

The Book of Proverbs states, “The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise.” Another version reads this way, “The crucible [tests] silver, and the furnace [tests] gold,
but a person [is tested] by [his reaction to] praise.”

The need for recognition and approval is very deep within the human psyche. It becomes so easy to drop names of whom we know, where we have been and what we have done… so that others may be more fully informed about just whom it is they are talking to and how wonderful we really are. We are tested this way.

This same proverb begins with the answer to humility and right order for praise from others: “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” Proverbs 27:2

“Woe to you, when all people speak well of you…” Jesus