Tell Me How Great I Am!

Proverbs 27:2

Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.

Do you ever feel the urge to make sure people know what you have done?

Do you want to mention the good thing you accomplished? Do you subtly steer the conversation toward the problem you solved, the sacrifice you made, or the success you achieved?

I think we can all be guilty of wanting others to know what we have accomplished, completed, fixed, or achieved.

In a world where we often confuse who we are with what we do, our accomplishments can become the data we use to prove our worth.

I don’t simply work at a church—I am the pastor. Maybe you have your own version of that sentence.

Today’s Point: Stop praising yourself.

Solomon does not tell us to convince everyone that we are impressive. He tells us to live faithfully and allow our lives to speak for themselves.

As Christians, we are called to live in a manner pleasing to the Lord—loving our families, serving our neighbors, forgiving those who wrong us, and displaying the fruit of the Spirit through joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

The Christian life should give life to others.

It serves instead of demanding to be served.
It forgives instead of keeping score.
It shows kindness even when kindness is not returned.
It works diligently and sacrifices willingly.

If that is the kind of life we live, we should not need to constantly tell people about it.

Second Point: Let another praise you.

Jesus never needed to market himself—his life did enough. As followers of his way, what does our life show?

So perhaps the question is not:

“Do people know what I have done?”

But:

“Would my life say anything worth praising if I never mentioned it myself?”