Who Cares What Others Think Of Us?
Does it even matter.. before a watching world?1.) Jesus clearly warned us: "Woe to you when all men speak well of you" (Luke 6:26).
And his own enemies saw in him an indifference to what others thought: "Teacher, we know that you are true, and care for no man; for you do not regard the position of men but truly teach the way of God" (Mark 12:14).
The Apostle Paul stated that if he tried to please men he would no longer be a servant of Christ: "Am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ" (Gal. 1:10).
The Apostle Paul stated that if he tried to please men he would no longer be a servant of Christ: "Am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ" (Gal. 1:10).
Let's live wise rather than foolish.
"As we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts" (1 Thess. 2:4).
Do too many people.. even believers get all worked up about what others think of them? Yes. Stop that, Sport. Just be yourself, and do your best by His power.
"As we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts" (1 Thess. 2:4).
2.) On the other hand, Proverbs 22:1 challenges us to have a good name. What's your character like? Do you love God and others -- do you humbly serve others like honey bees do? Do you over-promise and under-deliver? Do you keep your word and stay consistent?
God says, "A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, favor is better than silver and gold." And Paul was vigilant that he not be discredited in his handling of money for the poor: "[We are] taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift; for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men" (See 2 Cor. 8:20-21).
It matters what people think and thought. Paul taught the Roman church, "Now we who are strong ought... not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification" (Romans 15:1-2).
And then he clearly taught that one of the qualifications for elders is that they must be "above reproach" (1 Tim. 3:2), yes, including among unbelievers:
"He must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil" (1 Tim. 3:7).
Remember how Peter challenged believers to care about what outsiders thought of them.. of us too: "Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation" (1 Pet. 2:12).
There's an interesting tension between these two thoughts huh.
Please grasp that our aim as believers during this lifetime is to glorify the Lord and win other people to faith in Him. We can't save people, but we can pray and the Lord can do that. Jesus said He'd make us into fishers of people right? Yep, our aim is for "Christ to be magnified in our bodies whether by life or by death" (Phil. 1:19-20).
Like Paul thought, we are to CARE about what others think of Christ. Doin' our best we commit the rest. Their salvation hangs on what they think of Christ and hearing His gospel. Do you have a story to tell of what He's done in your life? We've been given new life so it's our aim is to live holy. Our aim is to display Christ's truth, His winsome grace, His wise tact in relationships, and His beautiful love.
Remember how Peter challenged believers to care about what outsiders thought of them.. of us too: "Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation" (1 Pet. 2:12).
There's an interesting tension between these two thoughts huh.
Please grasp that our aim as believers during this lifetime is to glorify the Lord and win other people to faith in Him. We can't save people, but we can pray and the Lord can do that. Jesus said He'd make us into fishers of people right? Yep, our aim is for "Christ to be magnified in our bodies whether by life or by death" (Phil. 1:19-20).
Like Paul thought, we are to CARE about what others think of Christ. Doin' our best we commit the rest. Their salvation hangs on what they think of Christ and hearing His gospel. Do you have a story to tell of what He's done in your life? We've been given new life so it's our aim is to live holy. Our aim is to display Christ's truth, His winsome grace, His wise tact in relationships, and His beautiful love.
Do too many people.. even believers get all worked up about what others think of them? Yes. Stop that, Sport. Just be yourself, and do your best by His power.
??
It seems like here in the USA most people never want to offend another person at any cost, but they don't give a flip about offending God via sin.
Sure we Westerners never want to come close to triggering anyone not even with the truth spoken in love. Man, let's indeed pray and seek to be a blessing to all others, but let's be far more concerned about offending God okay.
"If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household!" (Matt. 10:25).
Be yourself in the will of God. Jesus Christ lived a no-spiritual-compromise life. Sure He wanted people to like how helpful He and His teachings were in order that they'd come to put their faith and full trust in Him, but he did not change who he was. He'd never do that.
