Praise from Men
** Do you worry too much about what people think of you? Take free this online study and get some perspective: http://thelife.com/study/whatsinyourbag.html?section=whatsinyourbag&ft=BSG-OS
by Suzanne Benner
“Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in [Jesus]. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God” (John 12:42, 43).
In the time of Jesus, there were people who believed that He was the one sent to save them, but their desire to receive recognition and their fear of disapproval kept them from acknowledging Jesus as Lord.
It’s no different today.
Receiving recognition, approval and encouragement from the people around us is good, but not when it becomes more important to us than praise from God.
Is the approval of friends keeping you from confessing that you are a follower of Jesus?
Part of the problem with seeking praise from people is that humans have a faulty system for making decisions. The Bible says, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). In the New Testament, Jesus rebuked the people saying, “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment” (John 7:24).
On the other hand, when praise from God becomes more important to us than the praise of those around us, we become less concerned with outward appearances and more interested in attitudes of the heart.
Instead of wondering, “What will people think?” We can make our decisions based on the question, “What would please God?”
Then we will move from women who love praise from people more than praise from God to women who love praise from God more than praise from people.
Prayer: O God, I want to please You. Show me how to seek approval from You rather than from the people around me.
Questions to Ponder: In what area of your life is approval from people more important than approval from God? Is there a place where you have been making a judgment based on appearances?
Today’s Chat: Join us for a 15-minute chat about this devotional at 10:30 am Eastern, 7:30 am Pacific: http://www.christianwomentoday.com/chat/
Related Article: ”But I love to be in love!” http://christianwomentoday.com/closet/codependency.html
About the Author: http://www.talk.thelife.com/authors/suzanne-benner/
5 Responses to “Praise from Men”
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I’m very grateful for this devotional today and yesterday’s — they have been answers to prayers. Thank you.
I have also learned the hard way, it is not what other’s say about me that matters, yet a part of me yearns to be praised and noticed by others. This devotional helped me so very much and I have missed you ladies, I got a job, that I could not mentally handle. I am in the middle of PTSD therapy and I was dealing with death calls, calling the on call nurses and doctors and funeral homes, way too much. So I am once again looking for work compatible with the talents that God has so very graciously given me. I only need to be praised and noticed by God. What really matters is one day I hear: You did well Lisa by Jesus. I need help in that area, it begins today right now I live for Jesus and what he created me to be, not what the world demands of me, only in what God wants me to be. Love all sisters n christ Lisa N>
Bless you Chris for your response for it lifted the weight that lies on my heart. I too struggle with what others think about me and my weight, like you I just need to get to the part to know that JESUS excepts me just the way I am. Thanks for sharing your story.As you said and so very true, GODS WILL NOT MINE BE DONE AMEN !!!!!
All of us have that innate desire for approval and so often mine stretches to try to please other people instead of God.
My prayer is that I find God’s approval all I need in my day to day life and other peoples approval just added to God’s approval and not a continual need. Annie
I have learned the hard way, to not listen to what others say about me. I have had a problem with my weight for more then 30 years and many people have said rude things to me about me. But in the last 5 years I have lost more then 100lbs, and am still lossing. Even thou these remarks do hurt, I know that JESUS excepts me just the way I am everyday of my life. The people who say these rude things don’t know the inner me and don’t know my personnality. They are in need of my prayers and my pity because I releise that they are not following in GOD footsteps. Even though words do hurt I turn what ever is said to me about the way I look over to GOD and ask him to forgive these people. I ask HIM to guide me in knowing I am a child of his and am above what others are saying about me.
I thank GOD everyday for guiding me and my selfesteem and pray that those who are craul fimd Him in their lives and are able to realize that they are in the wrong.
GODS WILL NOT MINE BE DONE AMEN