1 Samuel 18:7,9 (NKJV)
“So the women sang as they danced, and said: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.’…So Saul eyed David from that day forward.”

Without meaning to, some people can be the cause of your downfall. Some people may mean well, but in their well-meaning, they create the biggest stumbling blocks to your physical and spiritual development.

One of the burdens of doing well is that people believe in you, sing your praise, and compare you with others. It’s a burden for the pilgrim because he knows what can come from such praise singing. Here are two possible outcomes.

The first is that it can get to your head. Some who started well as pilgrims, derailed because of continuous praise from people around them. Praises have a way of inflating ego and puncturing humility. Very dangerous.

Whenever people praise you, quickly ascribe the glory to God. Don’t quarrel with those who praise you, but let everyone know that you are who you are only by God’s grace. If done honestly, this will protect your heart.

Secondly, praise can create unnecessary competition and rivalry in your community. People who used to be comfortable with you may suddenly dislike you because people praised you. Be aware of this reality as well.

You cannot help people who have an evil eye toward you. This is the unregenerate man’s response to seeing others promoted. Strangely, most people are unhappy for others to make progress even if their position is not threatened.

David never asked anyone to sing his praise, but once they did, it immediately created enmity between him and Saul. Saul became jealous and insecure. The NLT says that Saul began to keep “a close eye on David.”

You can’t stop people from appreciating you, and there is nothing wrong with that. Just guard your heart against pride, be keenly aware of any growing rivalry around you, and choose to live in peace and humility, always giving all glory to God.