The Right Kind of Praise
Jul 5, 2021 3058
How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? (John 5:44).
It’s important to value the right kind of praise. When I was a little kid, I loved to entertain guests at our home by playing the violin, or performing in my own plays, or simply by telling stories. I thought I was incredibly entertaining! Looking back now, I realise that it probably wasn’t the quality of my performances that people liked, as much as the fact that I was a little kid, and maybe a little cute.
Please don’t misunderstand me. There’s nothing wrong with being funny and entertaining. However, in my case I developed into someone who was always “fishing for compliments,” with a deep need to receive affirmation and approval from others. It took me a long time to understand where this came from. It came from a deep-seated sense of rejection and a lack of love.
Do you value the right kind of praise?
I had to learn to accept that the glory that comes from God is far better than the glory that comes from others, not matter how important or close to us those people may be.
I had to learn what it truly means to “believe” in Jesus. I was like the Jews to whom Jesus spoke in John 5:44, happier to enjoy the approval of my community rather than the approval of God. Jesus says to them that you cannot truly believe in him if you value the approval (“glory) of others more than the approval of God. It’s important to value the right kind of praise.
The truth is that somewhere deep inside us, there’s a place where we all secretly like to be praised, even if we say we don’t. There are many people whose purpose in what they say and do is, even at an unconscious level, to receive praise from others. It’s often the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts that allows us to realise this.
A people-pleaser cannot please God.
This core issue here is whether at the core of our being we live with God at the centre, or with self at the centre. The issue of whose approval we seek to win, is one that the apostle Paul revisited several times in his letters. He presents these as polar opposites, so that if you seek to please God you cannot please human beings, and if you seek to please other people, you cannot please God. He wrote:
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ (Gal 1:10).
To believe means to trust. Do you trust the judgment that others make of you through their praise or condemnation, or do you simply trust in Jesus?
I choose to believe in Jesus.
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Peres Ide
Jul 12, 2021
What a wonderful message! Truly, we always try to please people more than pleasing God! When we see God as really He is, then we will not waste time to earn compliments from people! I am blessed to receive this reminder! Thank you Dr Eli for encouragement! Hallelujah! Amen.
Mateo Webby
Jul 11, 2021
I trust in Jesus son of living God Jehovah and I will serve him all the days of my life forever and more! more!more!!!!!!!!!!thank you Jehovah God for the of his son Jesus Christ as reason to my sin... good morning from Zambia 🇿🇲
Johnkennedy chukwuemeka Ahaji
Jul 11, 2021
Truly this kind of awareness is greatly needed in the this time and season, we are people pleaser, we are judgemental... We seek the approval of people more than the holy spirit. (What will people say) . Great message. Much appreciation from me.
Greig Lipman
Jul 11, 2021
Thanks Eli I have never read that verse before! Amazing and thanks also for For being so open with your personal experience as well. I can definitely relate! Greig
JASON ANDREW TOPPIN
Jul 11, 2021
I TRUST AND WILL SERV JESUS CHRIST ALL THE DAYS ON MY LOIFE
Olivia
Jul 6, 2021
I truly trust in Jesus Christ and I will always believe in Jesus my Lord and savior and I thank God my father for placing Jesus in my life and out of my mouth I praise Jesus continues out of my heart forever more I thank God everyday for his son of Christ in my life I give the father and the Son there holy praise amen.
Mercy Omotunde
Jul 13, 2021
This is really true. In most cases all our actions in words and deed is such for us to receive praise from others. It will only take the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to know that the praises and glory should be given to God and not us. Because it is He that gave us the powere to do all that we do.