When to Care What People Think of You

Do you care more about what people think of you or what God thinks of you?

➤ We should care what others think about us if we aren't honoring God by our attitudes and behavior. For example:

1. If we're rude or unkind.

We should care if people reject us for selfish behavior because God expects us to be considerate (Philippians 2:3-4; Luke 6:31).

2. If we violate our Christian values.

If we profess to be Christian but embrace worldly values, we deserve the disapproval of fellow Christians because our lives are meant to glorify God (Matthew 5:16).

➤ But we should never care what other people think about:

1. Our looks, social status, income level, race, etc.

None of these things has eternal value (1 John 2:15-17). God looks at our heart (1 Samuel 16:7). If people judge us by these "external" characteristics, we should neither take pride in their approval nor be discouraged by their disapproval.

2. Our Christian beliefs.

Christ tells us that being a Christian will make us unpopular, and He tells us to rejoice in His approval when others reject or insult us for this reason (Matthew 5:10-12; Matthew 10:22). 

 

Because many of God's commands are despised in our modern culture, we're going to be called hateful or stupid. We may be hurt by people's rejection, but we must not let it silence us.

Bottom line: When our goal is pleasing God, we will automatically be in right relationship with people, whether we please them or not.

 

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For more insights on this subject: 

3 Aspects of Gracious Speech offers help in expressing our biblical views.

Was Jesus Likable helps us understand that popularity wasn't Christ's goal, and it shouldn't be ours.

 

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