Proverbs 27:21 As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.  Compliments from others can be used in a positive or a negative way in our lives.  It’s perfectly fine to compliment someone.  Consider… Proverbs 27:2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.  When God’s people are praised for a life well lived, or a deed well done, there are some things we must remember.   We should remember that without Jesus,  we can do nothing!  We should remember that every good and perfect gift comes down from above!  Here’s a big one, we must remember not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think!  If we would remember these few things then even though we are receiving praise from another, our praise would be directed to our Lord.   We would refuse to be puffed up.  Pride will be kept at bay.  I had a neighbor years ago that invited my dad and me to look at his home place that he renovated.  Over and over he would say… ” Boys this is nice ain’t it, you’d never thought it would be this nice would you?”
As we went from room to room he repeated the phrase.  At the time, I did not know Jesus.  He was making a lost sinner sick with his bragging and pride!  Now if he showed us his work and my dad had said you’ve done a fine job here, what a difference that would have made!  ,  God gave him hands and feet, God gave him the ability to do the work!  Yet He was never mentioned.   When someone compliments you, be careful  not to let it go to your head, but rather to your heart.
In so doing, your light will shine and your life will be refined.  All because of God’s grace, and for God’s glory!  Amen.  Pastor