Ambassadors For Christ: The Wrong Praise

Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.

Galatians 1:10 (NLT)

If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.

James 4:4 (NLT)

For most of my life, I sought the wrong praise, because I craved approval from people– and I worked extremely hard to get it.

I strived for perfection and righteousness. As I’m sure you know, I never found them in others–and surely NOT in myself. I lived in constant insufficiency.

Many performers seek the wrong praise, too. They crave approval (along with applause)– and some will do anything to get it. Their “signs” of success are fame and money. Even if they find them, they can’t keep them. As we watch, 'This world is passing away' (1 Corinthians 7:31).

  • They live in constant insufficiency.

Faking a cure is 'The god of this world' (2 Corinthians 4:4).

His con mixes a truth into a lie: 

He whispers to us: ”You're not good enough. You don't have enough. If you worship me, I’ll give you idols, and you'll be content.”

He even tried to con the weakened Christ. He…

‘Led Him up to a high place and showed Him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to Him, 'I will give You all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want... If You worship me, it will all be Yours' ' (Luke 4:5-7).

Satan's truth?

  • Without a doubt, we ARE insufficient. As a Man on Earth, even Jesus said, 'I can of Myself do nothing' (John 5:30).

Satan's lie?

  • Idolatry is like drug addiction: a short fix replaced by increasing need, which becomes constant insufficiency.

Standing in opposition is God Himself!

His Cure (Jesus) descended from Heaven… to cover every person who asks Him--leading them not just to sufficiency, but also to exceeding abundance:

'God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus' (Philippians 4:19). 

Actors, models, and talent for Christ, remember:

  • Living in Jesus, you’re MORE THAN enough.

  • If you please God, nothing else is needed.

  • Perfectly timed, your success WILL come,

  • In marvelous, exceeding abundance…

  • If you don’t give up and DO PERSEVERE.

'Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the Name of the Lord our God. They have bowed down and fallen: But we have risen and stand upright' (Psalm 20:7-8).

Ambassadors For Christ: The Wrong Praise (Part 12)

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

Carey Arban