WHOSE PRAISE DO YOU SEEK?
Many people, including the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem believed in Jesus, but they would not speak of it publicly for fear of censure by the Pharisees. It wasn’t popular to confess Jesus among the upper classes. Such faith was for the common folk.
Although fear of rejection may have been a motive for keeping quiet concerning their faith, it was actually the “love of human praise” that sealed their lips. They loved the approval of man, more than the approval of God.
Whose approval do you seek? Whose praise do you love? There is coming a day that those who have been ashamed of Jesus before men, will find that Christ is ashamed of them before His Father (Luke 9:26).
PRAYER: Dear Father, we confess that we have often sought human praise over Yours. We don’t want to be people-pleasers, but those who seek Your pleasure and approval. Forgive us and fill us with holy boldness to declare the name and message of Jesus to everyone. In His name we pray, amen.