TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2016.
POPULARITY
The quality of being regarded with approval or affection by people in general.
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:36-37.
In the verse we have put above, what was Jesus saying to us? He was bringing to our minds the simple equation of profit and loss. He is reminding us that our soul is worth more than all the popularity, all the riches and all the pleasures of this world. No matter how much you have of what the world offers you, if you do not have salvation in Jesus Christ you are eternally bankrupt (profit or loss). What would you consider giving in exchange for your soul? Your soul is eternal and worth more than anything this world has to offer.
Popularity is not a bad trait if it comes to a person for the right reasons and from the right actions. It is when popularity becomes an obsession that it is dangerous because it often leads to compromising one’s character. The desire for popularity is one of Satan’s tools. Many people have sold their souls to the devil to gain popularity.
Popularity inflates the ego and changes one’s heart. This happened in the life of Saul. After Saul became King over Israel, he obeyed God and God gave him great victories over Israel’s enemies. The success of Saul made him very popular with the people but this popularity changed him. He not only did not give God the glory for his victories but in I Samuel 15:12 we are told that he turned away from God and he had a monument built in his honor.
Jesus gained popularity while He was on this earth because He was God. His loving compassion, Godly wisdom, consistent teaching and healing touch made Him someone special and the crowds came to listen to Him. He was popular because His teachings changed lives. He always honored God and gave His Father the glory and many were convinced to believe in Him as the Son of God.
Popularity is not what God wants us to strive for in life. God has a higher goal for us. He desires that we seek a close relationship with Jesus and then allow Him to work through us. If through this popularity comes our way then it is of God. We are then to bring glory to His name through all that we do.
Our memory verse for this week is found in Jeremiah 17:9.
The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?
Keep me from seeking popularity from the world and draw me into a close relationship with You. May I strive to make people see Christ through me so that they will desire to turn away from the evil attractions of the world they live in.
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