Many people depend on constant praise to stay motivated, which reveals a fundamental difference between human nature and the character of Jesus. He stands apart precisely because He never sought admiration from people, as He plainly states in John 5:41. Authentic Christian faith is not about impressing others, so there is no need to chase approval—even from a pastor—when serving God. Without praise, people may lose heart and give up, but Jesus taught His disciples to avoid performing good deeds publicly for the sake of recognition:
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:1-4)
Jesus declared Himself the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6), and He left a legacy that can seem unattainable yet remains profoundly applicable for our lives today. A Christian’s character is meant to mirror the behavior of Jesus. Straying from what He taught is a contradiction. In just three and a half years, Jesus established an authority that still resonates. How much more could be achieved if millions walked in His footsteps? Jesus maintained a constant connection with His Father; Christians are expected to do the same.
This requires clarity on whether a person truly acknowledges being God’s child, without wavering. That decision begins at conversion, when we embrace son-ship to God, taking the revelation in Matthew 16:13-20 seriously. Individual Christians are distinct from Jesus, yet united in being children of God. It is impossible to call yourself a Christian if you are unwilling to behave like Jesus—including refusing to accept praise from men.
“I do not accept glory from human beings, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” (John 5:41-44)
This scripture should capture the attention of every Christian, especially when considering what it means to stand in opposition to Jesus. Why did He refuse praise from men? What could be wrong with receiving admiration from those captivated by His miracles? The answer is profound and helps distinguish genuine Christianity from counterfeits. Blessed are those who embrace this truth without taking offense.
The Danger of Accepting Human Praise
One of the greatest dangers in Christianity is the acceptance of praise from others. The faith promotes viewpoints that go against the grain of typical human relationships. In the world, advertising and self-promotion are considered essential to advancing a cause. Yet when it comes to spreading Christianity, such methods are unacceptable. This principle may seem counterintuitive, but it is entirely logical for promoting what is eternally good.
Instead of advertising, Christianity should be demonstrated through actions that dispel misleading popular ideas. The tangible fruits of faith are the only authentic testimony. Jesus taught His followers to pray for their enemies rather than merely their friends. Loving only those who love us is commonplace; loving our enemies is the extraordinary hallmark of following Him. He implied that a blessing is only genuine when it comes from enduring insults for doing good, rather than receiving praise from people:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12)
There is no need to distort Jesus’ words to suit personal agendas. When we lose these essential elements, Christianity becomes a lost cause. Shouting “Lord! Lord!” does not grant entry into God’s Kingdom (Matthew 7:21-23). This simple truth was grasped by those who genuinely desired to follow Him. Jesus knew how easily humans could be misled, but Christianity remains uncomplicated as long as we remain faithful to His teachings.
Two Reasons Seeking Glory from Men Is Harmful
First, Christianity cannot follow worldly trends, because it is not of this world. Trends are inherently worldly; the things of God transcend them. Jesus became popular through His miraculous works, and ordinary people benefited greatly from His ministry. Yet the religious leaders of His day refused to accept that popularity.
Had they embraced it, a major contradiction would have arisen, clashing with the very principles He taught in Matthew 5:10-12. The true mark of something not belonging to this world is its rejection by the worldly. Whatever the world readily accepts is worldly. Though this might seem to contradict the principle of bringing goodness to humanity, it aligns perfectly with the apostle John’s insight:
“They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.” (1 John 4:5-6)
Large crowds followed Jesus because He met their physical needs, but meeting needs did not automatically make them true followers. Jesus interacted with people fully aware of their worldly concerns. Those who belong to the world seek blessings; godly individuals seek to be a blessing. Jesus spoke in parables precisely so people would not commit blindly.
Despite having many around Him, He did not use popularity as a tool to build God’s Kingdom; instead, He often discouraged superficial following (Luke 14:25-33). The world looks for an impressive profile before approving a leader. Without convincing credentials, a person’s wisdom is often dismissed. This is why many took offense at Jesus—He lacked the recognizable background they expected.
“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. (Mark 6:2-5)
No one commanded more respect in that culture than a prophet. Yet every human being, created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27), possesses the potential to be God’s prophet. How could the Jews so easily dismiss Jesus, the Son of the living God? Born into a humble family, He became a stumbling block for most religious Jews. But taking Genesis 1:26-27 seriously makes it impossible to look down on anyone. Categorizing people by race, class, gender, or education stems from worldly thinking. The fundamental truth remains: all humans were created in God’s likeness. One cannot genuinely claim to know God while devaluing others. As John writes:
“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” (1 John 4:20-21)
Second, seeking glory from others breeds pride, one of the deadliest sins. Jesus consistently taught that true greatness lies in servant-hood, the fundamental expression of humility. Embracing servant-hood is the only way to bridge the gap between worldly behavior and heavenly values. Who can claim superiority when Christ is everything and we are all called to serve? This runs counter to the world’s tendency to elevate some and push others down.
“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:8-12)
At the heart of Christianity is the truth that every person reflects God’s image. This shapes us through Jesus’ teachings, calling us to die to ourselves so that Christ may live through us. The desire to control others or determine what is best for them does not come from God but from worldly thinking influenced by Satan. As Christians, we are called to live humbly—like those considered least in society—serving rather than being served.
Churches often operate with a top-down hierarchy, but genuine humility leaves no room for envy over someone else’s spiritual gifts. Some gifts may appear superior, but that viewpoint is misleading because everything flows directly from Jesus Christ, the true vine. Although Paul is often credited with establishing church order, he made it clear that this is simply an organizational principle rooted in humility:
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you:
“Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” (Romans 12:1-8)
This message is profound for those who are spiritually aware. God never intended His gospel to be embraced by the world on its own terms. A lack of enthusiasm from worldly people can actually encourage genuine Christians. A true believer focuses on fulfilling God’s will rather than worrying about what society finds acceptable. After all, in the world’s eyes, there is nothing more humbling—even dehumanizing—than the act of washing another person’s feet. Yet in God’s kingdom, that very act defines greatness.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, relieving those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions, leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book to be a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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