THE PRAISE TRAP

DAY 152 OF 365 IN 2021

Mark 11:14-15 They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?  Should we pay or shouldn’t we?”

The relationship between Jesus and the Pharisees was one that could be characterised clearly by the fact that ‘they did not like Him’. Some individuals did, but the general consensus was ‘this guy is a  danger to us’. If Jesus had not known this truth, he could have easily let his guard down and found himself in some serious waters.

Even though they were laying ground works for a big trap, their approach made it seem like they were up to some good. It isn’t that compliments and praise for praiseworthy things are outdated, but the encounter today is to serve as a warning. A warning to the effect that we be careful when men begin to praise us for any reason.

Why? Because just as we can be guided into the will of God, we can also equally be easily praised and clapped out of it. In our ignorance, we will be smiling the whole way. Beloved, Praise has its place, but it can also be abused so don’t fall blindly and comfortably into the praise trap.

#sly