Q: What does the Bible say about being popular?

B: Galatians 1:10 Obviosly, I'm not trying to be a people pleaser! No,
I am trying to please God. If i were still trying to
please people, I would not be Christ's servant.

A: The Bible warns us about our motives for wanting to be popular. If
we are trying to please people, more than God, then we are not effectively
serving him, and we have misplaced priorities.

Q: How should we respond to someone else's popularity?

B: John 3:26-27 So they came to John and said, "Teacher, remember the
man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan
River, the one who spoke about so much? He is baptising,
and everyone is going to him."
John answered, "A man can only get what God gives him."
John 3:30 He must become greater, and I must become less.

A: Popularity can lead to pride. John the Baptist understood that he had
a job to do for God--he didn't worry about his popularity. In contrast,
his disciples became jealous over who was baptizing more people.

Q: What are some of the traps of wanting to be popular?

B1: Esther 3:2 All the king's officials would bow down before Haman
to show him respect whenever he passed by, for so the
king had commanded. But Mordecai refused to bow down
or show him respect.

A1: We should avoid popularity when it causes us to disown or disrespect God.

B2: John 12:43 They loved human praise more than the praise of God.

A2: We should avoid popularity when we recognize that our love for God is less
than our love for God.