“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.”
Proverbs 27:2
Around 10 years ago I spoke at an all-day conference on recovery from sexual sin. I spoke three times that day, with the men alone, the women alone, and everyone together. At the end, as everyone was leaving, a woman walked up and said “I love you” to me. For a second I was shocked and didn’t know what to say. But then I realized she was merely expressing her appreciation for what she’d heard and how it had helped her. There was nothing inappropriate going on, and her husband wasn’t far away. I said “thank you” in response. There were several others standing next to me and we were out in the open in the building so it’s not like she and I were alone.
When I’ve been blessed by something someone says or does for me, I’ll express my gratitude and appreciation to them. Part of my motivation is to build them up as we’re shown in the Bible:
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11
What drives me crazy is when, after I’ve encouraged them, they immediately say something such as “Praise God!” or “Hallellujah!” Internally I want to slap them because it feels like they’ve deflected what I’ve tried to give them.
Yeah, I know, this is all about God, we shouldn’t take the credit, steal His glory, we’re not worthy, need to live in humility. But I’d be willing to bet that when you read Proverbs 27:2 that many of you glazed over the first 4 words.
“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.”
Rogue translation: Allow others to show their appreciation for your choice to be a part of God’s work and bless you. Be quiet and receive it. Don’t spiritualize it away or deflect it. Don’t get twisted in a pretzel that you’re stealing God’s glory, not worthy, whatever. That’s only a part of the story. His heart is to bless you, encourage you, and He does it through His people. Let Him! What kid on Christmas morning says “Sorry Mom and Dad, I’m not worthy to receive this.” Heck no! They grab the present, rip it open and may scream “wow!” or “thank you!”
“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:3
Some focus way too much on “we’re unworthy” and miss God’ heart because they park there and think that living in “I suck” mode is how we’re called to live the Christian life. Sure, we have to keep pride in the grave, but that doesn’t mean we bury the rest of our heart with it.
“But I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”
Psalm 81:16
When you read the Bible, look for God’s heart, not just the truth/doctrine/teaching/do’s-don’ts. The Bible is a living love letter, not a textbook.
When God blesses you through the voice of His people, receive it by saying “thank you,” or even just nodding. By doing so you will let the one who expressed their gratitude know that you received their blessing.
We can still honor the Lord. I’ll often say “thank you God” in my spirit when someone says something encouraging as a way of acknowledging that He is in everything I do and expressing my appreciation for allowing me to be a part of His work.
How we respond when we’re blessed reveals where we are on the maturity scale. There are those who respond to praise by turning into a watermelon head, puffed up with pride; we surely don’t want that. You’re dead if you think you’ve arrived. But don’t miss out on receiving love and blessings just because you’re afraid of giving into pride.
Receiving love can be a greater challenge than being convicted of sin.
Every once in a while I’ll hear the words “Well done” in my spirit after working with someone or pressing through a rough battle. That can’t be from God, I think, it’s got to be misfiring neurons in my head. Receiving His blessing in my spirit can spark fear because I don’t want to be deceived by my flesh. Yet, I know that God’s heart is to bless, so internally I’ll say something like “If that’s You, Lord, thank you.”
A couple of years ago I was scheduled to speak at a church. I had arrived early and was resting in the main sanctuary. There were around 20 in the room. A woman walked up to me, and sang a praise song over me. I was stunned, and deeply touched. After I thanked her for blessing me, she left and went back to where her husband was seated.
Be a blessing to others.
And when others, including God, blesses you, receive it.
All you have to do is say “thank you.”