TESTED BY PRAISE

Proverbs 27:11-27 / Keywords 27:21

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.

27:11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart;

    then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.

12 The prudent see danger and take refuge,

    but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

13 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;

    hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.

14 If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning,

    it will be taken as a curse.

15 A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping

    of a leaky roof in a rainstorm;

16 restraining her is like restraining the wind

    or grasping oil with the hand.

17 As iron sharpens iron,

    so one person sharpens another.

18 The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit,

    and whoever protects their master will be honored.

19 As water reflects the face,

    so one’s life reflects the heart.[a]

20 Death and Destruction[b] are never satisfied,

    and neither are human eyes.

21 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,

    but people are tested by their praise.

22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar,

    grinding them like grain with a pestle,

    you will not remove their folly from them.

23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,

    give careful attention to your herds;

24 for riches do not endure forever,

    and a crown is not secure for all generations.

25 When the hay is removed and new growth appears

    and the grass from the hills is gathered in,

26 the lambs will provide you with clothing,

    and the goats with the price of a field.

27 You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family

    and to nourish your female servants.

Footnotes

a. Proverbs 27:19 Or so others reflect your heart back to you

b. Proverbs 27:20 Hebrew Abaddon

1. This passage starts out with the plea of a father for his son to be wise and to bring him pride and joy. Young people simply follow the world. They need wisdom and guidance to avoid the pitfalls of sin and temptation that lurk everywhere. We need to teach them not to trust or try to help everyone. We should also teach them to be cautious of people who praise them too loudly, and instead, wonder what they are hiding or what is coming next. 

2. We all need wisdom to handle conflicts. Wives should resist quarreling with their husbands and make their homes a place of peace. Also, we shouldn’t be afraid of differences between people, but know that cultural, generational, and other differences sharpen us. When we struggle with others, we can easily see what is in their hearts expressed on their faces. We need to pay attention and understand them. 

3. Just as fire refines gold and silver, praise tests people. If we’re not on guard, we can be tricked by people’s praise and make foolish decisions. Instead, let’s rely on God’s love and be stewards of what God has given us so we can be a blessing to others. Let’s reflect on how praise has affected me and ask: What can I change? 

Prayer Father, help me not be swayed by praise but rely on your love and be a diligent and faithful steward of what you have given me. 

One Word Pass the test of receiving praise