Nehemiah 6:19

Also they reported his good deeds before me.

The bad men praised

I. Bad men do get praised.

1. Sometimes this praise is real.

2. Sometimes this praise is mistaken.

3. Sometimes this praise is fictitious altogether.

II. Bad men are anxious for praise.

1. In this there is a sentence of condemnation.

2. In this there is an indirect homage to virtue.

III. Bad men are not hidden by the praise of the world.

1. Good men detect.

2. God detects.

Application:

1. Do not be discouraged by this misdirected praise.

2. Do not be deceived into any lowering of the standard of righteousness. (Homiletic Commentary.).