Beast ModeSample

Day 3 – Integrity

Have you ever done something so great that people praised you for it? Maybe you made the final score in the championship game or you did an amazing job at the lead role in the school play? We all have our talents and we should use them, but we must remember not to lose ourselves in the praise we receive.

Paul was a really cool guy, he could cast out demons (Act 16:18) and heal the sick (Acts 19:11-12). He even brought a man back to life (Acts 20:10-12)! One day when Paul was wandering around, doing his normal thing, he healed a crippled man. The people who witnessed this were so amazed that they proclaimed Paul and his traveling buddy as gods. The people of the town started parading around Paul and bringing sacrifices to him. Before it got much worse, Paul set them straight. “We are not gods,” he said, “There is only one God, and we have come to tell you about him.”

See, Paul did amazing things, and could have easily taken the glory for himself. But he knew he only had these gifts and talents because God had graciously given them to him. Your athletic ability? It was given to you by God. You may have worked hard to use His gift better, but it was still from Him. Your singing ability? Gift from God. You practiced yes, but He still gave you your voice. 

There’s an old song that says, “Without Him I could do nothing, without Him I’d surely fail”. So, the next time you rock at something and want to take all the praise to heart,  make sure to check yourself and give credit where credit is due: To the One who gave you all the talents and gifts that make you who you are. 

Have you ever been poured on with praise? Did you keep it all yourself and begin to get a big head? Or did you give God all the Glory for what He has done through you?