I don’t think I’m alone it this, but I’ll confess: I like to be complemented.

I like to be told I’ve done a great job or to feel that sense of approval from others.

I’ve learned more and more though that there are some complements that you shouldn’t listen to!

Here’s a few examples:

  • Sometimes people complement you for the wrong things; accepting that complement encourages, in yourself, that wrong behavior again in the future.
  • Sometimes people complement to gain influence over you.  You accept their praise you become a debtor to them.
  • Sometimes what is presented as a complement is actually a subtle insult.  You swallow it only to be stabbed by it latter.
  • Sometimes a complement is directed at you but deserves to go somewhere else- accepting it would be stealing.

I’m not saying that you should never listen to a complement (encouragement is a needed and important spiritual thing) but just that we have to be careful about just taking everything that’s handed to us.  If nothing more, being careful about what complements we receive guards against us developing an addiction to others’ praise.

Better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool. – Ecclessiastes 7:5

Thoughts?