Both critics and fans will test your character.

The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise. 

Proverbs 27:21

To consistently measure up to the things that people praise you for is something of a test of your character. We are tested by praise. Will what others think about us really be who we are?

This is not normally a way we see the compliments of others. We tend to see them as well-deserved recognition and honors. We expect the respect. We may find ourselves fearing man more than God because of this expectation. That is one way in which we are tested by the praise we receive.

Another real test of praise is where we direct it once we receive it. Do we shine the spotlight of praise back upon the God Who made us? Or do we continue to instead bask in attention? Praise is a test of our character every bit as important as trial or difficulty. It is easy to see our critics as such, but we are warned that our fans will direct us the think about who we really are as well.