Proverbs 27:21 KJV
As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.
We know what a fining pot is for silver; it purifies and brings the dross out of it.
We know what the furnace is for gold; it has the effect of bringing to the surface that which is not gold so the gold is that much finer.
But the third portion of this verse can throw us off. How is a man to his praise related in any way to the refiner's work?
After some meditation and then some study of the works of others; here is what I learned:
First, a man can refine the praise he receives.
As we walk with the Lord
As we grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Saviour
As we put off the deeds of the sinful man and put on the likeness of Christ
The praise we receive both of others and of the Lord becomes more pure and sincere.
Secondly, praise can refine a man.
Our reaction to praise reveals the sort of spirit we have concerning ourselves. One commentary said concerning praise,
Vain men seek it
Weak men are inflated by it
Wise men disregard it
Praise is the “fire” that brings the impurities of our spirit to the surface so that it is revealed to those around us. May we be willing in that case to allow God to skim off those impurities.
As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.
We know what a fining pot is for silver; it purifies and brings the dross out of it.
We know what the furnace is for gold; it has the effect of bringing to the surface that which is not gold so the gold is that much finer.
But the third portion of this verse can throw us off. How is a man to his praise related in any way to the refiner's work?
After some meditation and then some study of the works of others; here is what I learned:
First, a man can refine the praise he receives.
As we walk with the Lord
As we grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Saviour
As we put off the deeds of the sinful man and put on the likeness of Christ
The praise we receive both of others and of the Lord becomes more pure and sincere.
Secondly, praise can refine a man.
Our reaction to praise reveals the sort of spirit we have concerning ourselves. One commentary said concerning praise,
Vain men seek it
Weak men are inflated by it
Wise men disregard it
Praise is the “fire” that brings the impurities of our spirit to the surface so that it is revealed to those around us. May we be willing in that case to allow God to skim off those impurities.
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