The Praise of Man vs. The Praise of God: A Spiritual Dilemma
Nicodemus came to speak with Jesus at night.
Click on the picture above to learn more about Nicodemus
The tension between seeking the praise of man and the praise of God is a recurring theme in both the New Testament and contemporary spiritual discourse. This Blog Post aims to explore the implications of choosing between worldly praise and divine approval, drawing from selected scriptures from the Bible.
The Fear of Social Consequences
The Gospel of John presents multiple instances where individuals hesitate to openly confess their faith in Jesus due to fear of social repercussions. John 12:42-43 states, "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; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." This scripture echoes the point that many rulers believed in Jesus but were afraid to openly confess him. The fear of being ostracized from their community and losing social standing held them back.
Similarly, the parents of the man born blind were hesitant to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah. John 9:19-23 tells us that they feared being put out of the synagogue, which would mean losing their community, friendships, and even business connections. The devastating social consequences of such an act made them choose silence over truth.
The Secret Disciples
John 19:39 introduces us to Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, who were secret disciples of Jesus. They came forward to take care of Jesus' body after His crucifixion, but their discipleship was kept a secret "for fear of the Jews." Nicodemus, who initially came to Jesus by night, is also mentioned in John 7:50-52, where he subtly defends Jesus but stops short of openly declaring his faith. These individuals represent the internal struggle between the desire for divine approval and the fear of worldly condemnation.
The Cost of Choosing God
Dietrich Bonhoeffer (pictured above) chose to oppose Hitler and prioritize the praise of God over the praise of men, even if it cost him his life. This extreme example serves as a reminder that choosing God may come with significant sacrifices, but the ultimate reward will be beyond anything we can imagine when we get to heaven.
“Judging others makes us blind, whereas love is illuminating. By judging others we blind ourselves to our own evil and to the grace which others are just as entitled to as we are.”
The Transformative Power of Faith
Lon Solomon's personal story, presented in the video below, is a testament to the transformative power of faith. He found salvation and purpose in Christ while being a college student on drugs. His life serves as an example that when we prioritize God, we find a sense of purpose and fulfillment that the praise of man can never offer.
The dilemma between seeking the praise of man and the praise of God is as relevant today as it was during the times of Jesus. The scriptures urge us to examine our priorities and make choices that align with eternal truths rather than transient worldly approval. As we navigate the complexities of faith and social expectations, let us remember that "the praise of man" is fleeting and empty, while the praise of God is everlasting and fulfilling.
The Praise of Man
- 💔 Many rulers believed in Jesus but were afraid to openly confess him due to their fear of being put out of the synagogue and their love for the praise of men rather than the praise of God.
- 📖 The parents of the man born blind were afraid to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah due to the consequences of being put out of the synagogue.
- 😢 Being thrown out of the synagogue was devastating for Jewish people as it meant losing their entire community, friends, relationships, and even business connections.
- 🙌 The ultimate reward for putting God first in our lives will be beyond anything we can imagine when we get to heaven.
- 🙌 Dietrich Bonhoeffer's choice to oppose Hitler and prioritize the praise of God over the praise of men ultimately cost him his life.
- 💔 There is emptiness and a fleeting nature of the praise of man. We should desire and prioritize the praise of God instead.
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