Bible Study - Popularity Sought By Men

[MatthewG]

Throughout the centuries there has been popularity sought by men. This enforces and gratifies the natural man/woman in the place in which they rejoice with on another opposite to God and his praise. It is a natural function of the flesh, and it is something that may be due to even the traditions of people throughout the centuries in what they believe, and they receive gratification when others follow suit. This is not to say that is not okay to learn from the smart men and women out there in this world; it is just when it comes down to them or God, one should seek the praise of God in their life rather than the praise of men.



Let’s look at some scripture and see what the Bible states about this condition, as there are several places in the Bible to look at.

Joh 12:37

yet He, having done so many signs before them, they were not believing in Him,

Joh 12:38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he said, “LORD, who gave credence to our report? And the arm of the LORD—to whom was it revealed?”

Joh 12:39 Because of this they were not able to believe, that again Isaiah said,

Joh 12:40 “He has blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart, that they might not see with the eyes, and understand with the heart, and turn, and I might heal them”;

Joh 12:41 Isaiah said these things when he saw His glory, and spoke of Him.

Joh 12:42 Still, however, out of the rulers many also believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing, that they might not be put out of the synagogue,

Joh 12:43 for they loved the glory of men more than the glory of God.

Even after Jesus had performed and done many signs before the people, they still did not believe in Him, and the word from Isaiah the prophet had became fulfilled in that day, which stated “LORD, who gave credence to our report? And the arm of the LORD— to whom it was revealed?”


Signifying that for the reason - They were not able to (could not) believe, that again Isiah said “He has blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart, that they might now see the eyes, and understand with the heart, and turn, and that I might heal them” - The Jewish people in that day were given over to the desires of their own hearts by God because of their own choice of not turning to him, that they indeed would be healed — healed in what way? Having a restored heart, and a renewed mind, once having repented in turning to the LORD himself - to be healed.


So their eyes, and their heart was hardened, and that they might not see with the eyes, or understand with the heart.


Even in todays world - after God through Christ reconciled the world back unto himself. There are many people that still glom on to the fact that Jesus is just simply a good teacher, that he did great things, but they do not turn to Him to be healed as many believe that it is simply a fairy tale, and that God is just a myth. Thus they seek the things of the world rather than the things of the spiritual and God gives them over to their own desires and allows them to freely go into the direction they freely choose to go due to lack of belief, trust, or confidence in Yahweh, and His Son Jesus Christ who had done everything and overcame everything on behalf of all people in the world now today.


Isaiah said these things when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.


Still, however, out of the rulers many also believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees (and their rule and dominion over the people) they were not confessing on reasons that they could stay in the synagogue. Therefore in that time there were believers even among those who were Pharisees but they did not confess their allegiance to Jesus because of their love of the glory of men more than the glory of God.


There are other accounts of these same actions. See [ Acts of the Apostles 12:1-3, Acts of the Apostles 24:27, Acts of the Apostles 25:9, Ephesians 6:6, Colossians 3:22]


To seek the praise of men for the glorification of one self in the adoration of others is a failed attempt at seeking the praise of God.


Is this something prevalent in your own life as you go about your life in your daily activities and work-related projects, and wherever else you may go? To be seen as a good person, and be accepted by others?


Jesus stated this in Matthew 6:1-7

Mat 6:1 “Take heed not to do your kindness before men, to be seen by them, and if not—you have no reward from your Father who [is] in the heavens;

Mat 6:2 whenever, therefore, you may do kindness, you may not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do, in the synagogues, and in the streets, that they may have glory from men; truly I say to you, they have their reward!

Mat 6:3 But you, doing kindness, do not let your left hand know what your right hand does,

Mat 6:4 that your kindness may be in secret, and your Father who is seeing in secret will reward you Himself.

Mat 6:5 And when you may pray, you will not be as the hypocrites, because they cherish to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the broad places, that they may be seen of men; truly I say to you that they have their reward.

Mat 6:6 But you, when you may pray, go into your chamber, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who [is] in secret, and your Father who is seeing in secret, will reward you.

Mat 6:7 And—praying—you may not use vain repetitions like the nations, for they think that in their speaking much they will be heard,

Mat 6:8 therefore do not be like them, for your Father knows those things that you have need of before your asking Him;

When one does good things, do them in secret not in the open to be receive praise from men, because if you do that is all the reward you will ever get, to be honored by others, rather than allowing your Father to secret in which he will reward you openly. The only reward one gets when doing good things in front of others in the ability to boast about these things, that is all the enjoyment you will get, that gratification from others, and not the long-lasting praise from God.