IN WALKING WITH GOD
5 "BUT ALL THEIR WORKS THEY DO TO BE SEEN BY MEN. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.
6 "THEY love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,
7 "GREETINGS IN THE MARKETPLACES, AND TO BE CALLED BY MEN, ‘RABBI, RABBI.' "
Matthew 23:5-7 (NKJV)
There some people who always want to impress other people, they want people to believe that they are good and godly, and they want others to reverence them.
Such people outwardly look pious and sanctimonious, but on the inside they are full of dirty things (Matthew 23:27,28). They always love to be seen by men that they are good people!
The admonition is, let what you portray to be outwardly, be the actual thing you are on the inside: “EVEN SO YOU ALSO OUTWARDLY APPEAR RIGHTEOUS TO MEN, BUT INSIDE YOU ARE FULL OF HYPOCRISY AND LAWLESSNESS" (Matthew 23:28 NKJV).
READ: Matthew 23:25,26
Do not try to impress men, but rather strive to please God (Galatians 1:10).
Men may revere or honour you because you outwardly look pious, but, that would not earn you any blessings or benefits or rewards from God. Particularly, If you are actually not a person who lives in line with the Bible.
It is not what people say about you that matters, but what God says about you. Some people get elated or happy and impressed because of the good things that people say about them.
But, the truth is, what God says about you is what matters most; not what people say about you.
Apostle Paul said in his epistle to the Corinthians that his conscience is clear and knows nothing against himself. In other words, Apostle Paul does not know anything he has done wrong, but that is not a thing to bank on—depend or rely on—God is the judge:
4 MY CONSCIENCE IS CLEAR, BUT EVEN THAT ISN'T FINAL PROOF. IT IS THE LORD HIMSELF WHO MUST EXAMINE ME AND DECIDE. 5 SO BE CAREFUL NOT TO JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS BEFORE THE LORD RETURNS AS TO WHETHER SOMEONE IS A GOOD SERVANT OR NOT. WHEN THE LORD COMES, HE WILL TURN ON THE LIGHT SO THAT EVERYONE CAN SEE EXACTLY WHAT EACH ONE OF US IS REALLY LIKE, DEEP DOWN IN OUR HEARTS. THEN EVERYONE WILL KNOW WHY WE HAVE BEEN DOING THE LORD'S WORK. AT THAT TIME GOD WILL GIVE TO EACH ONE WHATEVER PRAISE IS COMING TO HIM [whatever praise each person deserves]" (1 Corinthians 4:4,5 the Living Bible).
“BUT THE LORD SAID TO SAMUEL, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. FOR THE LORD DOES NOT SEE AS MAN SEES; FOR MAN LOOKS AT THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE, BUT THE LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART ️.” “
1 Samuel 16:7 (NKJV)
Another point is that some people would not want to obey or do what God has instructed them to do, because of what people will say, they want to please human beings.
The admonition in this piece is, you should endeavour in your walk with God to always please Him. If pleasing God will displease men, you should rather choose to please God, not men (Acts 4:19).
• You should not fear what people will say about you or about what you are doing, when it comes to the instructions given to you by God.
• Do not fear whoever might be offended as a result of your obedience to God's bidding or instructions.
27 "WHATEVER I TELL YOU IN THE DARK, SPEAK IN THE LIGHT; AND WHAT YOU HEAR IN THE EAR, PREACH ON THE HOUSETOPS.
28 "AND DO NOT FEAR THOSE WHO KILL THE BODY BUT CANNOT KILL THE SOUL. BUT RATHER FEAR HIM WHO IS ABLE TO DESTROY BOTH SOUL AND BODY IN HELL.”
Matthew 10:27,28 (NKJV)
You will not fail in Jesus’ name. Peace!