Within fallen man is a desire to receive admiration. Admiration is defined by Dictionary.com as a feeling of wonder, pleasure, or approval; the act of looking on or contemplating with pleasure. From the time of our youth, many of us have sought the admiration from our parents, teachers, friends, and family members. There are times when we desired admiration so badly that we did things we didn't want to (outside of our character and good judgment) just to receive it. Now, as we come into the knowledge and faith of Jesus Christ, there may still be the lingering desire for admiration.
Now, there have come many situations where a person will use their gift or talent in such a way to receive admiration from the people. They do this in order to bring validation to themselves and their work that should be unto the Lord (Colossians 3:17). However, this is a HUGE problem because...
1. Praise and glory is taken from God.
Our works are meant to bring glory to God and not ourselves (Matthew 5:14-16). What is meant to be given to God, you take for yourself (read that again). See, many people may not be able to recognize when someone is 'stealing' praise from the Lord, but many times it's plainly obvious. God uses you to carry out His purposes on the earth, not your own. You are not the creator...you are the created and bringing praise to His through our works is one of the ways He is acknowledged upon the earth.
The Lord does not share His glory - He is a jealous God (Nahum 1:2).
2. People are taken away from God.
If you haven't learned, people can be fickle. Many of them will not encourage you to stay on the narrow path, especially when you're giving them what they want. They will seek their own comfort, even at the expense of their own 'soul condition.'
However, at the same time, you may find that ministry leaders promote/produce/reveal the ingredients for gathering a crowd around you, hince building admiration for yourself. Yea, you may have a 'formula' for your own success, but it comes with a price. We have a responsibility to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18-20). When we seek our own admiration, this commission only becomes necessary when it comes to increasing crowds and drawing more admiration, not seeing people live for God. You begin to overlook people living in sin (especially if they're gifted). There are messages you will no longer preach because it may hinder your admiration. You also give yourself over to illicit practices where God becomes the means to an end - your own glory.
3. Your ministry is threatened...(see above).
4. Your life (eternal) is in danger!!!
Matthew 7:21-23 (KJV) - Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Just because you can preach; have people bouncing off the walls; people fall at a wave of your hand; and casting out demons, it doesn't mean you're destined for heavenly places with the Father. He is looking for obedient children, not those that seek to rob and steal from Him! Gifts are given without repentance (Romans 11:29) and as we find in Matthew 7, the Lord will use you (as His word will not return void), but when you get before Him, He will deny knowing you because you did not seek to know Him - following His word. Don't allow a successful ministry to cause you to think you no longer need to live righteously in the Lord's will. You are not above the Lord's precepts!
As we shine our lights upon the earth, it must be for the sole purpose of bringing glory to our Father. We must proceed in life and ministry with the intent of pleasing God and making Him known. We must allow the Lord to be our only 'audience' to ensure we give and bring praise where it is due...to Him.
Our desire must be to please Him!
So what do I do?!
1 Corinthians 4:1-7 (KJV) Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
1. Repent.
2. Reposition your life and service before the Lord.
3. Keep your audience to the Lord Most High.
Allow the Lord to be your vindication and source of admiration. Let Him be pleased with your service before Him and His people. Please understand that Lord may be most pleased with you when your life situations are its toughest (James 1:2-4). Being in God's will does not guarantee an easy life (read that again)!
