2 Corinthians 10 - Seeing Beyong Human Description

Paul makes a couple of good points in this chapter that I really like:

• Verse 12 reads, "Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!" In this verse Paul speaks to a standard of measurement and points out those who use themselves as the standard of measurement. While we see it all the time, it seems so silly to set yourself up as the standard. We are fallible humans. How can we possible be a standard. If we measure ourselves against an imperfect standard, then our goals are to be imperfect. Why shouldn't we push ourselves to perfection. It may be an unreachable goal, but it will push us to be the greatest we can be. Those who measure against themselves are really trying to feed their own ego, not achieve the most they can. The thing that makes it really silly is that there is always someone out there better at something than us.
• The other verse that stood out for me was 18, which reads, "When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them." Consider what it means to be commending yourself. It means that you have gauged yourself against the standard and find yourself to be good. This is fine, but then, to brag about it...If you are so good compared to the standard, than why isn't someone else commenting? It is better to let your goodness show and say nothing. If you are to be recognized, let God take care of it. God can use any number of people and ways to point out your goodness at something. The recommendation of another is far stronger than self recommendation. 

In both of these ideas, we see something that is prevalent, people trying to create the image of their own greatness. Think about the people you have known like that. Do they really impress you? They might for a time because we awe at some skill or level of knowledge, but that fades quickly. Ultimately, the person that we honor is the one that others commend or whose skill/knowledge moves us to comment to others about because we ourselves notice, not because they put it in our face.

In this letter, Paul is reminding the Corinthian church to look past what someone is saying of themselves and to make their own judgement. This is important on both sides of the coin, both where someone is bragging, and where a negative reputation proceeds someone. God wants us to examine the heart of a person, and see God's presence inside of that person and honor it. Don't honor what is imperfect and human, but what is glimpses of God. Don't see someone as the great things that person has said about themselves or as the past errors that person has made. See them as God has formed them and is molding them. See God shining through! Is there someone in your life that you have let the words of other humans paint your picture of them without examining their heart? Maybe today is the day to stop, examine that person, and see what God shows you.