Rejecting compliments with "I'm not worthy" is an insult to god who gave us life as well as gifts?

Rejecting compliments with "I'm not worthy" is an insult to god who gave us life as well as gifts?

John the Baptist said "I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal" is the title of this thread suggesting that John sinned by saying that?

hope said:

^yes, servingzion, its like I'm being put in my place for giving someone a compliment. As if to say that I am ignorant or less educated than them, bc if I was, then I would know that they can do nothing without Christ in them., so I am being rebuked and its embarrassing, especially when you are simply saying thank you.

I do not need to be chastised, corrected or rebuked for saying thank you.

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I understand why you are offended by it, but I don't think they are doing anything wrong in God's eyes. Next time, just say "I thank God for you!" Can't go wrong. It's what Paul did.

You have to remember that maybe you are offending them by saying thank you, and putting the focus on them. They may be struggling against pride, trying to fully surrender. Instead of letting your flesh anger you, just give it to God. Ask Him to teach you what to do. And just love them and keep serving them.

hope said:

^yes, servingzion, its like I'm being put in my place for giving someone a compliment. As if to say that I am ignorant or less educated than them, bc if I was, then I would know that they can do nothing without Christ in them., so I am being rebuked and its embarrassing, especially when you are simply saying thank you.

I do not need to be chastised, corrected or rebuked for saying thank you.

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There is an opportunity in this, somehow (Colossians 4:6) - if with grace you are able to reinforce 1 Corinthians 5:6 to subdue their ego (by your attitude rather than a direct confrontation - James 4:5-6), then you will have won them back to Christ (Matthew 16:11-12, Jude 1:22-23) and covered a multitude of sins.

Yes hope, it's called "false piety".

In insisting that it's not about "them", they've made it ALL about themselves.

We ARE to build each other up in Christ. And that means that if someone says "Thank you" with a thankful heart, because they have been blessed by what someone has said or done, the response is a gracious one. That's how we bless them in return.

Because the bottom line is, that we KNOW that it's all about God, and that ALL good things come from Him. There's no need for a pious lecture, so to speak.

hope said:

1) God created you and I, so that act alone means that he felt that we were worthy enough to be his creations.

2) That He chose to die for us as an atonement for our sins is also because He thought us to be so worthy of salvation and thereby eternal life.

3) He also gave us various gifts, talents and abilities.

Therefore, when Christians decry any compliment with the statement, "I'm not worthy," is that not a slap in the face of God?

When a christian is being very helpful and kind, do we not say "thank you" to them or tell them "well done", and then they graciously say, "thank you?"

There is something arrogant in refusing to accept a compliment, something self-righteous....and it seems like a slam to the person doing the complimenting!

I feel slapped, hearing this response, like I've been corrected and put in my place.

How awkward and shame based is this kind of thinking.

I'm struggling to figure out if I am accurate in this assessment or not, as I just cannot fathom teaching a child to not accept any compliment at all.

Do we not encourage each other or not encourage each other in life?

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I understand what you are saying but, it leads me into a place where I might tell myself I deserve that. Kind of like these TV commercials nowadays that tell us we deserve new cars and other types of things. Truthfully, I feel that I deserve nothing other than the hot spot down below.

Trying to stay humble up top the mountain.

M-Bob

hope said:

to help clarify, let me repeat this part:

When a christian is being very helpful and kind, do we not say "thank you to them" or tell them "well done", and then they graciously say, "thank you?"

There is something arrogant in refusing to accept a compliment, something self-righteous....and it seems like a slam to the person doing the complimenting!

I feel slapped, hearing this response, like I've been corrected and put in my place.

How awkward and shame based is this kind of thinking.

I'm struggling to figure out if I am accurate in this assessment or not, as I just cannot fathom teaching a child to not accept any compliment at all.

Do we not encourage each other or not encourage each other in life?

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Who ultimately does the "good work" in a believer's life?

Is it God?
Or is it the believer?

Well, Scripture tells us that God (Christ) is the One who ultimately does the work within a believer.

Philippians 1:6
Philippians 1:11
Philippians 2:13
Philippians 4:13
1 Corinthians 15:10
Hebrews 12:1-2
Hebrews 13:21
Isaiah 26:12
1 John 4:12
Galatians 5:22-24 (cf. Matthew 7:16-18, Matthew 19:17)
John 15:5
Ezekiel 36:26-27

For that is why the 24 elders cast their crowns down before Jesus (Revelation 4:10). For the crowns they received for their good work was all the result of Christ working in them.

Yeah, but doesn't a believer do the work, too? Now, yes, it is true; A believer is created unto Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2:10); And a believer is indeed held accountable by their "good works" here upon this Earth at a Judgment. But we must also realize that true believers are not ultimately doing these "good works" alone or of their own power, though. For in 1 Corinthians 15:10 Paul said that he labored more than all of his brethren, yet he said it was not him that labored but it was the grace of God that was within him. So true believer's are just choosing to allow God's "good work" to flow within them or not.

That is why we praise God for any good done in our life and we do not uplift ourselves by screaming in the mirror, "Hey everybody! Come see how good I look!"

Jesus said, "...there is none good but one, that is, God" (Matthew 19:17).
Granted, this does not me we cannot overcome sin and live a holy life; In fact, God requires that of us as a part of the faith and or salvation. For without holiness, no man shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). For after we are saved by God's grace, we are to yield to the Lord working in us. For Christ gave Himself for the express purpose of making us holy, and zealous of good works (Ephesians 5:25-27) (Titus 2:14). But we have to realize all good comes from God alone and that any good done in our life after we have accepted Christ for real is a result of His doing and not our own. So praise God for all good done in your life and not yourself.

brinny said:

Yes hope, it's called "false piety".

In insisting that it's not about "them", they've made it ALL about themselves.

We ARE to build each other up in Christ. And that means that if someone says "Thank you" with a thankful heart, because they have been blessed by what someone has said or done, the response is a gracious one. That's how we bless them in return.

Because the bottom line is, that we KNOW that it's all about God, and that ALL good things come from Him. There's no need for a pious lecture, so to speak.

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That isn't false piety. It's true humility.

Not everyone knows it's all about God.

I have had the Holy Spirit speaking through me to people, or comforted them in His love, overcome sin by His strength etc. Things I could never do on my own in the flesh. And then had all of their attention directed to me, as if I was doing it in my own power, giving no praise to God at all (because they don't know truth). Should I just say thank you and let them believe this lie and give glory to me? Or simply tell them the truth, so they too can be set free?

False piety is saying "I can do nothing, God cannot use me, I'm a worthless sinner" etc. And expecting praise for it, giving glory to self. (As the Pharisees putting ash in their faces to look humble)

True humility is being used by God as according to Scripture and not taking credit for it. Dying to self, being alive in Christ, then being God's light to the world and not serving yourself any longer. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

hope said:

to help clarify, let me repeat this part:

When a christian is being very helpful and kind, do we not say "thank you to them" or tell them "well done", and then they graciously say, "thank you?"

There is something arrogant in refusing to accept a compliment, something self-righteous....and it seems like a slam to the person doing the complimenting!

I feel slapped, hearing this response, like I've been corrected and put in my place.

How awkward and shame based is this kind of thinking.

I'm struggling to figure out if I am accurate in this assessment or not, as I just cannot fathom teaching a child to not accept any compliment at all.

Do we not encourage each other or not encourage each other in life?

Click to expand...

"For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.' (Luke 14:11).

hope said:

1) God created you and I, so that act alone means that he felt that we were worthy enough to be his creations.

2) That He chose to die for us as an atonement for our sins is also because He thought us to be so worthy of salvation and thereby eternal life.

3) He also gave us various gifts, talents and abilities.

Therefore, when Christians decry any compliment with the statement, "I'm not worthy," is that not a slap in the face of God?

When a christian is being very helpful and kind, do we not say "thank you" to them or tell them "well done", and then they graciously say, "thank you?"

There is something arrogant in refusing to accept a compliment, something self-righteous....and it seems like a slam to the person doing the complimenting!

I feel slapped, hearing this response, like I've been corrected and put in my place.

How awkward and shame based is this kind of thinking.

I'm struggling to figure out if I am accurate in this assessment or not, as I just cannot fathom teaching a child to not accept any compliment at all.

Do we not encourage each other or not encourage each other in life?

Click to expand...

If God gave me knowledge and taught me skill, should I not take credit for having done everything on my own? Should I give God the glory, rather than take credit for someone else's work?

dqhall said:

If God gave me knowledge and taught me skill, should I not take credit for having done everything on my own? Should I give God the glory, rather than take credit for someone else's work?

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Only if you created yourself. So yes. I agree with you. We should give praise to God alone for any good done in our lives (and never give credit to ourselves). Praise be unto the Lord Jesus Christ who works all good.

Emli said:

That isn't false piety. It's true humility.

Not everyone knows it's all about God.

I have had the Holy Spirit speaking through me to people, or comforted them in His love, overcome sin by His strength etc. Things I could never do on my own in the flesh. And then had all of their attention directed to me, as if I was doing it in my own power, giving no praise to God at all (because they don't know truth). Should I just say thank you and let them believe this lie and give glory to me? Or simply tell them the truth, so they too can be set free?

False piety is saying "I can do nothing, God cannot use me, I'm a worthless sinner" etc. And expecting praise for it, giving glory to self. (As the Pharisees putting ash in their faces to look humble)

True humility is being used by God as according to Scripture and not taking credit for it. Dying to self, being alive in Christ, then being God's light to the world and not serving yourself any longer. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

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True humility is exactly what the quote says. False piety is akin to "piety bragging" and/or "totaling up piety points to see who wins", so to speak.

It twists grace and is completely bereft of it.

brinny said:

True humility is exactly what the quote says. False piety is akin to "piety bragging" and/or "totaling up piety points to see who wins", so to speak.

It twists grace and is completely bereft of it.

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""Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone." Mark 10:18

False piety?

John 15:5
"“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

Emli said:

""Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone." Mark 10:18

False piety?

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The one who Jesus is addressing was "flattering" Jesus, or attempting to.

Emli said:

John 15:5
"“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

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Ok.

brinny said:

The one who Jesus is addressing was "flattering" Jesus, or attempting to.

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No, he wasn't. He was asking him how to attain eternal life, addressing Jesus as his teacher, recognizing who He was. He wasn't a Pharisee, just a rich man, who kept all the commandments. Verse 10:21 says that Jesus looked at him and loved him. This is a very beautiful passage. But this man was too focused on the things of man and the things of this life, just like all of us struggle with. Jesus wanted him to lay down his life for God and follow Him, but the man wouldn't give up his wealth, so he couldn't follow Jesus. That is probably also why he called Jesus good, because his focus was on this world, not on Heaven.

Speaking of "flattery", that is not what hope is referring to here in this thread. There are lots of verses in Proverbs referring to "flattery", and how subtly poisonous it is, and insincere, etc.

This thread, at least from my understanding of it, is about extending and receiving "grace", and "blessing" each other, and the gracious giving and receiving of those blessings, words of encouragement, and honest thankfulness of how God has used a vessel to pour out grace, or blessings on another. It's a form of encouragement, and we ARE to be encourage-ers, exhorters, and to build each other up "in the Lord". We are to also be the "lifters" of each others sagging, discouraged head, just as our God is the Lifter of our head.

Emli said:

No, he wasn't. He was asking him how to attain eternal life, addressing Jesus as his teacher, recognizing who He was. He wasn't a Pharisee, just a rich man, who kept all the commandments. Verse 10:21 says that Jesus looked at him and loved him. This is a very beautiful passage. But this man was too focused on the things of man and the things of this life, just like all of us struggle with. Jesus wanted him to lay down his life for God and follow Him, but the man wouldn't give up his wealth, so he couldn't follow Jesus. That is probably also why he called Jesus good, because his focus was on this world, not on Heaven.

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Yeah, it was flattery.

The bottom line is, that he rejected Jesus.

It was about "self". The bottom line of "self", is "pride". Always has been. It conflicts with putting God "first". There can only be "one" on the "throne", so to speak. And in rejecting Jesus, this man, kept himself on the throne.

He chose to continue to be his own "god".

Just as a side note, if he genuinely believed that Jesus was/is "good", why did he ultimately reject him?

brinny said:

Yeah, it was flattery.

The bottom line is, that he rejected Jesus.

It was about "self". The bottom line of "self", is "pride". Always has been. It conflicts with putting God "first". There can only be "one" on the "throne", so to speak. And in rejecting Jesus, this man, kept himself on the throne.

He chose to continue to be his own "god".

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Yes, that is the most simple explanation of why everyone rejects Jesus. But it's not that simple, and God looks at our hearts.

Yes, he rejected Jesus, that's what I said in my post. But it was obviously not an attempt of flattery, or Jesus would have reacted like He did with the Pharisees. He was probably just treating Jesus the way he was used to having to treat the other teachers of the time, the Pharisees, who wanted to, and probably demanded to, be called good. To elevate themselves. Because they were on the thrones in their lives, and in the lives of others, which is why they rejected Jesus.

They would have let him keep his riches. But Jesus is God, and he knew the thoughts of this man's heart. They were a stumbling block to him, as it is to many of us. We can live perfect lives according to the Law, and be called good in the eyes of men, but without putting Jesus above everything, giving Him all Glory, accepting that only God is good, then it's worth nothing. We cannot serve two masters.

Emli said:

""Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone." Mark 10:18

False piety?

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If we were in the disciple’s shoes: I believe the correct answer to Christ’s answer here would be:

“Because you are God, master.”