Has anyone delivered a compliment to you which you accepted and felt good about, yet simultaneously knew was simply inaccurate? I know that I have.

Matthew-Henry’s father, Philip (also a Puraitan) said this:

“Be as much troubled by unjust praises, as by unjust slanders.”

This is apt. When someone with a distaste for our personality speaks ill of us for no notable reason, we’re usually at least frustrated. But more likely angry. But, few people have such qualms about someone speaking highly of them when it’s undeserved. This is a real problem.

When someone slanders us without cause, we are broken down and our person is hurt. But, when someone builds us up with false information, God’s person is hurt. We accept praise on false grounds to bolster our pride, which inevitably robs God of glory which is due to him. This is much worse.

I try to correct people when they offer compliments on false pretenses. But I am guilty as well. I just wish I could be half as worked up about it as I am when I’m unfairly criticized.