The bible tells us that we have to live in the world, but we shouldn’t be of the world. That might mean that in order to please God, we will be despised by man. As believers, we need to make the decision as to whether we would rather be praised by men, or by God. It is easy to find in the bible where the Pharisees hated Jesus, but John 12 tells us that there were many among the leaders who believed in Jesus. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue. Then in verse 43 it says:
"for they loved human praise more than praise from God."
Let us never be like that. It feels good to be liked, complimented, admired, loved and even praised, but let us only seek praise from our Father in heaven. His view of us is really the only view that matters. Sometimes seeking praise from God results in praise from men, but we may find more often than not, that when it comes to approval, we will have to choose between man and God. Let us never love human praise more than the praise of God.
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“for they loved human praise more than praise from God”. We need to make sure that we have our priorities in order. Our goal should be to please God more than anything else. We can do this through our love and obedience to him even if it flies in the face of what humans desire or admire. Our goal is not the same as the worlds. Our goal is that when we die and enter eternal glory to have our names written in the book of life and to hear those words, “well done my good and faithful servant”.