"Praise of Men"
Daniel Valles

READ John 12:43

Sometimes as we study events in this world, and examine Christian/religious leaders of our times, we are often appalled by gross hypocrisy or doctrinal error.  Pastors and evangelists, who once preached sound doctrine, are now going the route of ecumenicalism and having a man-centered purpose-driven effort.  Sometimes we are startled to find Christian ministries or corporations (501c3s) react to Christians in a way that is contrary to what the Bible states.  Other times Christian leaders refuse to heed council on their methods and leaven... why do they sell out?

Why would a Christian of any stripe so openly disregard what God and His Word says?  In John 12:43, Jesus gave the succinct answer in regard to the Pharisees and the chief rulers: "For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God."

Today, looking popular, having large numbers, large budgets, large buildings, inoffensive to anyone, etc. has caused gross compromise.  As individual Christians, we, too, are extremely susceptible to this error as well.  We should not be afraid of a friend's reaction if we decide to take a stand on something, we should not fear the reactions of family or employment if we take a stand on what the Bible says.  God wants us to fear Him as the highest duty of man.  When we decide to fear man and their praise as our highest duty, we make God extremely jealous.  Let it be said of you that you loved the praise of God more than the praise of man.