(Prov 25:27 GW) Eating too much honey is not good, and searching for honor is not honorable.
This morning we get back to our series entitled, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.” In the first part of this verse Solomon repeats what he said in verse 16 and since we dealt with that verse just a few days ago I will not say much about it. Suffice is to say that overindulging in anything, even what you like, can turn out to be a bad thing.
The focus, then, for this morning, will be on the latter portion of this verse. Solomon tells us that actively searching for honor is simply not honorable. Going around attempting to get others to acknowledge the goodness of your actions is almost never received well. Believe me, I understand how rewarding the praise of man can be. Personally, I enjoy positive feedback and recognition just as much as anyone. It is a blessing to me when others acknowledge the hard work I put into things. It feels good, it is encouraging, and it serves as motivation to do more. But if I went around asking people to acknowledge my work, to recognize my accomplishments, and to admit that I am doing a good job, the only thing they would wind up acknowledging is my pride. Not only would pursuing praise be prideful, but it is not honorable.
Walking in honor requires a level of humility. Jesus is our greatest example. If there is anyone who could have taken credit for making an impact in the community it was Jesus. Jesus fed crowds, preached to the poor, caused the blind to see, the lame to walk, the deaf to hear, the dumb to speak, and the dead to come back to life. The ministry of the Sadducees and Pharisees paled in comparison to the ministry of Jesus. After Jesus would finish preaching a message, the crowds would be amazed because “He taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law” (Mat 7:29). Jesus’ ministry was head-and-shoulders above anything anyone had ever experienced at the time. He created a following, in three short years, that far surpassed what the Jewish leadership had attempted to create for decades. Jesus was undoubtedly exceptional in every way. Jesus was divinely appointed, walking in purpose, full of passion, powerfully charismatic, and endowed with supernatural power. If anyone had the right to seek praise it was Jesus, but He didn’t. Jesus never ‘tooted his own horn.’ As a matter of fact, when others came to Him and brought up His greatness in a conversation Jesus would simply say, “That is what you say.” In other words, Jesus let other people say how great He was. He never said it Himself and He never pursued accolades.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. There is nothing wrong with being praised by man. The Father wants you to be acknowledged and rewarded, so He can shine through you. But never actively seek recognition.
2. Dwelling on the honors you think you deserve can only be harmful. It will make you bitter, discouraged, and angry. Just keep doing what is right before God and your recognition will come.
3. Seek to be honorable before God and man. When you walk in honor, humility, and grace, it is only a matter of time before the recognition comes.
4. Let others say how good you are. It’s never comes across well for you to attempt to do it yourself.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for supernatural wisdom, grace, and humility. As I walk in all three I am able to live an honorable life before You and man. I do what is right, because it’s right, and I then do it right, every time, whether I am being watched or not. I do what I do FOR YOU. I seek to honor You every day, in every way. I love You with all my heart and I know that as I consistently accomplish my duties in excellence You will see to it that I get recognized and when I do, I will turn around and give You the glory. However, I never actually pursue recognition myself. Instead of pursuing recognition, I simply pursue You, and I as I do, recognition has a way of pursuing me! I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
