Whenever somebody speaks highly of me, I usually respond with one simple line:
“I am just a man.”
Now, if you are wondering what that means, let me take you back to ancient Rome.
There was once a magnificent leader named Marcus Aurelius, one of the greatest emperors the world has ever seen. As he walked through the streets of Rome, people would gather around and sing his praises.
But Marcus, knowing the danger of pride, had someone follow him. And whenever the crowd praised him, that person was instructed to whisper into his ear:
You are just a man.
That sentence matters.
Because praise is intoxicating. Success is intoxicating. Recognition is intoxicating. And if a man is not careful, he begins to believe that the glory belongs to him.
I am a man of faith. And from what I have understood through the scriptures of God, the first sin was not committed in the Garden of Eden. It was committed in the heavenly places.
A being of great beauty, power, and authority, created by the hands of God, looked at the glory given to him and desired glory for himself.
And he fell like lightning.
That is the root of all sin.
Pride.
So when someone praises me, I remind myself:
I am just a man.
Whatever I have, I received.
Whatever I built, I was allowed to build.
Whatever wisdom I carry, it was given to me.
Whatever door opened, God opened it.
So no, I am not trying to sound humble.
I am trying to stay alive.
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