day no. 15,636: we seek where we offer

"We seek praise from the place where we offer praise." -- Douglas Wilson, A Serrated Edge: A Brief Defense of Biblical Satire and Trinitarian Skylarking

While the Bible reveals the axiomatic truth that we become like what we worship, it also reveals that we seek to receive honor from the same place we give honor.

2 Corinthians 10:17-18
But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

The one who wants men to admire him will first pay his dues by flattering others. If the end goal is to hear, "Well done" from men or a particular set of men, rest assured it will begin with genuflection to men or a particular set of men. We seek to get the most from where we give the most. And if our hearts are consumed with getting respect from men, we will seek it by offering our respects.

John 5:44
How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?

If you are seeking honor from God, you won't receive flattery from men. You can accept a kind word, but you don't require it from them. We expect the sacrifice of praise from those we've sacrificed in order to praise. We overlooked obvious flaws in order to flatter and expect the same be reciprocated for us. And when we get nice words said about us, we have our reward and should expect nothing more.