1 Corinthians 9:27 (KJV):
“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
While living as Christians on life’s journey, we may experience moments of praise and admiration from others, especially if our gifts and callings bring us constantly before others and we are good at what we do. There is nothing really wrong with praise and admiration – except that once we get a steady dose of praise we tend to believe our own press. Now we begin feeling entitled to preferential treatment and deference from those in “lower ranks” than ourselves.
We may preach, sing, dance (liturgically), prophesy, speak in tongues (and interpret tongues), dance in the spirit or even lay hands on others and they become delivered. Let us make sure that in all what we do or take part in, we are constantly communicating with God. Constant communication with the King of kings keeps us humble. Studying His Word will cause us to remember that we are flesh and blood who are as vessels being used by the Master. We have no entitlement. Respect is due to those who are in positions of authority and on whom a clear call from God is evident in their lives, but let us remember that what we have, He allowed. What we can do, He endowed. What we see, He permitted.
Let us keep ourselves prostrate before the King of kings. Let us make sure that what we have is real, tried and true. May we allow God to keep us focused, lest we preach Christ to others and we turn out as hypocrites in the end.
Life, Love and Other Topics: My Commentary 