June 16 - Discern The Praise.

Proverbs 27:14
“He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.”
 
Beware of those who only offer praise in front of others.
 
Psalm 12:2-4
“They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?”
 
Excessive flattery should be considered both suspicious and dangerous.
Praise that is loud and obnoxious should alert us to be skeptical of the genuineness of it.
 
Job 17:5
“He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.”
 
Job 32:21-22
“Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.”
 
Those who continually praise us often have an ulterior motive. They seek something from us. We must choose to remain balanced instead of allowing their praises to affect our behavior. If we become fond of being praised, we will find ourselves consumed by pride.
 
Proverbs 25:27
“It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.”
 
We would be wise to ask the Lord to help us discern the praise we receive.

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Bible Reading:
2 Kings 19-20  |  Galatians 5  |  Proverbs 16