Praise God or Praise Me? What am I looking for people to do?

Pride is a killer. Pride precedes a fall, causes contention, it is a killer. I read the following passage in Proverbs and it deserves a lot of thought...

Proverbs 27:21

As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.

The bottom line is, the praise we receive from others is a test for our heart to see whether we will respond in humility or pride.

I believe that every person enjoys sincere praise but what I do with it past an initial "thank you" will help determine my future. I don't want to be a people pleaser but yet I am in the people business. What do I do? Walk around with an offensive disposition and act like I don't care if people like what I do or more importantly who I am?

My heart is what is lifted up in pride or not. It doesn't have to do with my response to the praise in the way of words. I have seen people say all the right things when praised but their attitude later was one of pure pride.

One of my leaders interviewed in a church not too long ago and was actually told that if they were hired they were not to make eye contact when coming into a room with the pastor of the church. They were also not to speak to them unless spoken to first. Thankfully I can say that this leader was led elsewhere for ministry...Thank God!

I wouldn't give you five grimy cents for a prideful leader who thinks of themselves to be that important. Too important to speak when spoken to. Too important to acknowledge a fellow staff member because they are on some higher plane. God deliver me from that kind of ridiculous lunacy!

Keep me pure Lord Jesus! Let me never be too busy or too preoccupied with my own world that I cannot see the needs of others. God never let me believe my press clippings. I thank you for every kind word spoken to me Lord, but I want to walk in humility with you. I am nothing without you....period.