Let’s not take their praise

Acts 12:21-23  

21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

They say that the chances are about 10 to 1 that when a man slaps you on the back, he wants you to cough up something. I once had a phone call from a friend who was praising me about some of my abilities. (I doubt though). He just went on talking, and then he asked me for some money. I now realized that I surely don’t have any ability. It was just his need that made him do that.

When King Herod was being praised by the people of Tyre of Sidon, he was really enjoying it. The people did it because they had a need for food. They did not like Herod anyways. But once they praised him without any truth in it, it was Herod who lost it.  

Hope we realize that there is a difference between Appreciation and Praise. Some of us are surely aware of what goes around. But do we know the fact, that most of the praises that we receive from any quarter is intended? Whereas, appreciation is mainly for the work done and out of good wishes. Let’s not take their praise.  

Stanley Thomas Isac

Stanley is serving as the Pastor of Crossway Church in New Delhi, he can be reached at Stanleytisac@gmail.com