PRAISE OF MEN OR PRAISE OF GOD?

John 12:42-43 NKJV 42 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Here was a genuine problem for some of Israel's leaders. They believed in Jesus. They believed that Jesus was the Christ, the long-sought-after Messiah, the answer for Israel. Their answer.

Yet they would not confess Jesus as Lord or Messiah. Fear was a motivator here. If they confessed Jesus as the Christ, they would be kicked out of the synagogue, and their way of life would be altered. The acceptance and plaudits of men were in the synagogue system, and if they were kicked out, the praises from their fellow leaders and rulers would stop. And those praises, that approval from man was more important to them than the approval and praise of God.

APPLICATION

This same scenario exists today. There are people who believe in Jesus as Lord but will not confess him (act on their belief) because it means being put out of their social circles. No one likes being disliked or de-friended or canceled, but there is a higher, more valuable benefit - God's approval and praise.

This principle applies in other areas that relate to God. Often, we must choose who we are trying to please, God or man.

When Joy was sick years ago, we chose to believe that God still heals today even though it cost us the approval and friendship of a Christian couple we had been close to. But choosing God's approval over man's praise added years to Joy's life and made all the difference in our family and later in the church we lead.

PRAYER

Lord, I believe in You and desire Your approval more than man's praise. Help me stand strong in the face of anything that would keep me from Your best!