Purer in Heart

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but people are tested by their praise. Prov. 27:21

Earlier in this chapter, verse 2 says, “Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.” We studied this verse several weeks ago and were led to the conclusion that our greatest praise belongs to our Father. All of us, however, for various reasons, will receive praise, and our responses will reveal a lot about us.

Today’s Proverb compares precious metals to precious people and how each is tested. In the refining process, silver and gold are heated to high temperatures until what is not gold or silver rises to the top to be removed. What is left is pure.

When praise comes our way, how might such a seemingly harmless and even wonderful act be like a fire of refining? Some say that it’s not as hard to stand under criticism as it is to stand before praise. There are those who come through their difficult trials with flying colors. Yet, bring honor to them and the result may not be so pure.

Praise can corrupt and ruin a person. So how does one allow the surety of praise to bring the dross to the top of our hearts and let the refining process make us better fit and uncontaminated for God’s kingdom?

We all should go through a self-cleansing process when praise comes to us and let the applause purify our hearts. Part of the self-cleansing is when praise comes to someone else, besides us, let us be glad for them and harbor no envy.

Who will come through the fire? A man of virtue and good morals, a man who transfers the glory to God and a man who desires to become even more godly? Would he become a thankful man for the honor God is bestowing on him? Might he learn to turn the admiration back onto his admirer? This takes humility and a desire to earn the praise he receives. People are always watching. Praise betrays or reveals the deepest parts of who we are, whether we are acceptable or not.

The degree of a person’s good or bad reputation (what people think about him and for what they praise in him) generally gives an idea of his good or bad character. Also, what a bragger himself praises tells a lot about him. Of what does he approve and admire? Good or evil?

Conceited people chase after praise and popularity. Foolish and undisciplined people become pompous. But a wise person, though he appreciates the praise, learns to possess an inner indifference. He knows that having praise speaks of God more than of himself.

How are we praised? I tried to think outside the box for this question:

Besides outright honor, we are praised when someone asks us to pray over them or give them advice. We are praised when we’re asked to speak or mentor others. Believe it or not, we are also praised when we’re given constructive criticism. These words come from a person who loves us. They know we will take what they have to say to heart. That is high praise. Try to think of some ways you are praised and how the praise can go to your head if you’re not careful.

Just a listening friend can be a form of praise. Yet, if we take advantage of that friend-given praise by interrupting or dismissing their feedback, the gift they are giving us is harmed.

There is much refining that needs to be done through all praise. One purifying process happens when we get angry at another person for receiving the praise we think we deserve.

Samuel 18:6-8 says, “When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. As they danced, they sang: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.’
…Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly.”

In fact, Saul came up with a plan to falsely praise David by handing over his daughter to him in marriage. His intent was to make him a part of his army and send him out to battle, letting the enemy kill him.

I Samuel 18:18 says, “But David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law?”

David, who did not know Saul’s intent, is an example of humility in the face of honor.

Father, refine me through the pleasant gift of praise. Let my heart be found to be like gold or silver. Let me pass the test. Remind me so I can escape the ruin praise can bring. In my heart, let it remain pure so your name will shine above all. Please continue to purify my heart. In Jesus name, Amen.

Listen to the song: