“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” Proverbs 27:2

It is easier for me to be proud than humble, and my pride is stroked by other’s praise. I have the tendency, when praised by others, to “share” that. “So and so said this about me! Look at what this person said about me!” I can even put a pious spin on it: “Praise the Lord for what he said about me!”

This is especially easy with social media of which, ironically, I post and share these thoughts!

While reading and meditating on Ruth 2 today, Matthew Henry provided a helpful reminder and instruction from Ruth’s example–

Ruth told her mother what kindness Boaz had shown her, that she might take some occasion or another to acknowledge it and return him thanks; but she did not tell her how Boaz had commended her. Humility teaches us, not only not to praise ourselves, but not to be forward to publish others’ praises of us.

May the Lord help me to walk humbly before Him, praising Him for His provisions and magnifying Him, not myself. If I boast, may my boast be of the Lord (2 Cor 10:17).