Am I now trying to win the favor and approval of men or God? Or am I seeking to please someone? I would not be a bondservant of Christ if I were still trying to be popular with men. Galatians 1:10 AMP
Fear Whom?
I understand kudos (1: praise for achievement. 2: fame and renown resulting from an act or achievement: prestige.).
Before Christ and many years afterward, I lived for kudos.
I found my identity in kudos.
That made everyone & every circumstance my god, for I needed their praise and recognition for my perceived well-being.
In truth, I was afraid of others.
Fear of man is when you must run your decisions through what others might think or react to if you take a particular course.
Fear of man is a crippling disease of the heart and causes you to lose courage.
What is the antidote?
Wonder-inspired awe of God.
It is the wonder of how He loves me unconditionally.
Knowing Him and knowing what He says about me is the truth.
When we realize that our fear of God is our meal, we are free to allow the kudos of others to be the spice.
How might the opinions, actions, and expressions of others be influencing you more than God?
Lord, examine us and expose anything or anyone that may be an idol to us. One that we must check with before we check with You. If we stray from our relationship with You, lead us back to Yourself, Your ways, and Your provision for who we are and what we are called to do. Amen