“Now while Jesus was in Jerusalem at the Feast of the Passover, many people believed in his name because they saw the miraculous signs he was doing. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people. He did not need anyone to testify about man, for he knew what was in man.” —John 2:23-25
Beware of putting your emphasis on the praise of man rather than on the praise of God! It is an easy trap to fall into, often catching us unawares in its vice, tightly turning our motives into pleasing a creature in lieu of our Creator. We are to live our lives for an audience of One. We all live coram Deo–before the face of God–whether we choose to believe it or not. Our opinions and biases do not alter the truth.
Jesus did not entrust Himself to men because He knew them. He was aware of the weakness of some and the wickedness of others. He knew their natures, their dispositions, their intentions, and their affections. He knew them better than they knew themselves. His knowledge came not from others information but by His own omniscience.
As believers, our actions should always be conforming to what God desires of and for us. I am reminded of Peter and John’s words to the religious leaders of their day after being warned not to speak again in the name of Jesus:
And they called them in and ordered them not to speak or at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Whether it is right before God to obey you rather than God, you decide, for it is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.” —Acts 4:19-20
Contrast Peter and John’s actions with those of some of the leaders who desired man’s praises over God’s:
“Nevertheless, even among the rulers many believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they would not confess Jesus to be the Christ, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue. For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.” —John 12:42-43
Take It to Heart
Think for a moment, do you care more about what others think of you than what God thinks?
Fear of man will control us if we do not choose to have the fear of God control us. Proverbs tells us:
“Fearing the Lord is the beginning of discernment, but fools have despised wisdom and more instruction.” —Proverbs 1:7
Jesus said:
“I do not accept praise from people, but I know you, that you do not have the love of God within you. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me. If someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe, if you accept praise from one another and don’t seek the praise that comes from the only God?” —John 5:41-44
Further Reflections
And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.” —Hebrews 4:13
“Be thoroughly acquainted with your temptations and the things that may corrupt you.” —Richard Baxter
“Men who fear God face life fearlessly.” —Richard Halverson
“To inoculate me from the praise of man, God baptized me into the criticism of man, until I died to the control of man.” —Francis Frangipane