Desiring the Praise of Men

"For they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God" (John 12:43).

This passage expresses a sad truth. In Jesus' day there were many who preferred the praise of men over the praise of God. That is, they would rather be praised (glorified) by men, rather than be praised (glorified) by God. Unfortunately, this is still true today.

The desire to be thought well of by the people around us is a powerful desire. We may not even know the people around us, but we still want them to have a high opinion of us. Have you ever been in a store and noticed two non-English speakers looking at you and having a conversation? Do you ever think they are discussing you? If they laugh, do you wonder if they are laughing at you? Have you ever done something you really didn't want to do, because someone teased you into it?

Maybe the fear of man/desire for man's praise affects you in different ways, but I doubt that you aren't in some way influenced by it. I really believe almost every one struggles with it. The desire itself isn't all bad. Wanting your neighbors to think you are a good neighbor, because you try to be a good neighbor isn't a bad thing. Being willing to reject God so that your neighbors won't think you're a fanatic, is wrong.

These individuals that John describes in this passage had come to believe (at least intellectually) that Jesus was exactly who he said he was. They understood that his miracles were a sign that God was working through him. Yet, they would publicly follow him, because they would get kicked out of the synagogue. They chose a den of hypocrites over the eternal Son of God.

We would say, "I wouldn't ever do that!" But how many times have we had the opportunity to tell someone about Jesus and chickened out? Most of us have already done it and probably more than once. May the Lord create and sustain in us a greater desire for his praise over the praise of men. We only have to please One. If the world doesn't like it, we lose nothing. If the Lord isn't pleased, we lose everything. Don't let the fear of man trip you up.