Seeking God's commendation

“For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” 2 Corinthians 10:18
We’ve all met them: people who are constantly blowing their own trumpet, bragging about themselves and how wonderful they are, what they’ve achieved in their life, etc. After a while it gets a bit tiresome. But do we do this? What about in your own thought life? You might never say it out loud, but inside do you think you’re better than other people, more spiritual, more committed to God? I know I’ve been guilty of this on more than one occasion.
The Bible warns us against taking up this kind of attitude. “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1 Cor. 10:12). Paul says, “We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise” (2 Cor. 10:12).
Comparing yourself with other people will always make you feel good about yourself; you can always find someone who is doing worse in life than you. This blinds us to the gulf that exists between ourselves and God. It leads to pride, and an unforgiving spirit.
We shouldn’t seek commendation from others, or be patting ourselves on the back – even in private. Instead, seek God’s commendation, by living a life of submission to Him.