Pam Padgett ... teacher
Many of the chief rulers believed in Jesus, but because they loved the
praise of men more than the praise of God, they didn't confess this ...
John 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed
on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they
should be put out of the synagogue: 43 For they loved the praise of men
more than the praise of God.
We also fail to confess Jesus like this if we fail to speak as led by
the Holy Spirit, afraid that we will be ridiculed, thought to be
"strange", or hated by those around us.
While thinking about this, I was reminded of what Jesus taught us in the parable of the sower about the seed sown among thorns becoming unfruitful because of cares of this world, deceitfulness of riches, and lusts ...
Mark 4:14 The sower soweth the word. 15 And these are they by
the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan
cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their
hearts. 16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground;
who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with
gladness; 17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a
time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's
sake, immediately they are offended. 18 And these are they which are
sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 And the cares of this
world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things
entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. 20 And
these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and
receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and
some an hundred.
Praise of men can seem like riches and is something the flesh lusts
after. Those of the world seek the praise of other people by doing, and
refraining from doing, according to what is pleasing in the eyes of
man.
But we who have been called of God should seek the praise of God by
doing, and refraining from doing, according to His will. When the Holy
Spirit brings us a word showing us what to say or do and we act according to that word, and when we simply speak the truth we've been given without hiding, fruit comes
forth according to the will of God. We often do not gain praise of men when we do this, but we seek to please God and have praise from HIM.