Vox Populi, Vox Dei? The Poison Of Fame ☠️
You don’t need to necessarily be in the right to become the talk of town neither does one need to appeal to the minority of truth seekers and doers in order to be relevant in their generation...
Vox populi, vox dei is a popular latin phrase which literally translates as the voice of the people (is) the voice of the god(s) . The phrases intended meaning is indicative of a level of truth and validity vested in the opinions of majority of people or individuals especially, who tend to have a similar mindset, believe or pattern of thought. In such a scenario, we would then assume that as long as the masses are in tandem then it’s more plausible to believe and accept that even the gods are also in agreement. I pick on this phrase particularly because it helps to drive in the subject of fame and what it means to trend or be recognized in the 21st century especially for Christians in general or those who express their ministry potentials in various capacities.
Trending or becoming famous and well accepted amongst the masses as a Christian or more so a minister in itself is not a bad or wrong thing. It can in some cases be a divine validation of what God has placed on your life that is becoming more and more glaringly evident in the eyes of men. We see in Ezekiel 16:14 NKJV were God through prophet Ezekiel expresses the reality of the fame of Israel because He the Lord had made them to look beautiful through what He had endowed them with. ("Your fame went out among the nations because of your beauty, for it was perfect through My splendor which I had bestowed on you," says the Lord God."). The attraction they enjoyed was not coincidental but a by product of Gods glory. But this is were the road gets bumpier. It’s a slippery slope to casually assume also that such attention and fame is Gods validation of your ministry especially when the fundamentals of your walk is drenched in palpable error and deception. You don’t need to necessarily be in the right to become the talk of town neither does one need to appeal to the minority of truth seekers and doers in order to be relevant in their generation.
There are many Christian ministers in whatsoever capacity today whose only fuel for acceptance and fame is based on the ignorance, decadence and coldness of the masses. The fame and recognition they trumpet proudly in the ears of men as an indication of Gods pleasure with their lives is only an experience sponsored by the ignorance of those who align themselves with the error they themselves propagate through their ministries. In a fast paced technological world as we have it today fame, recognition and acceptance can afford you wealth and riches that would have been impossible some years ago. Even within the Christian fraternity, itinerary engagements as a result of fame can become a person’s ticket out of severe poverty. As much as these benefits appear as great gains, they will forever lack substance before God if they are born out of a person’s willingness to forgo the truth, uprightness, consecration and all that aligns with Gods word just so they could appeal to the sensibilities of the ignorant, truth denying and even godless masses.
My generation must become clear in their minds that the ultimate blessing or reward of your service and faithfulness to God is not to be famous or to be applauded by the masses neither is it to become the center of trend news and reportage. The closing point of all that we do is when God calls us good and faithful servants. Servants who have not allowed their penchant for recognition and fame determine how economic they are with the truth. Servants who have not permitted themselves to become subservient to mammon. Servants who have endured the ridicule and shame of not becoming allies with the wrong majority.
Fame can either be an amplifier of Gods hidden precious treasures within you or sadly can become a poison that can eat deep into Gods beautiful treasures domiciled within you. Do not be deceived, the enchanting echoing voices of the people is not always the validating voice of God. The Apostle Paul expresses it beautifully by saying "For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ."(Galatians 1:10 KJV). The very people who accept you and hail you may be the very reason why you end up in a ditch tomorrow. At every point of our journey, we must be bold enough to question our own intentions and motives and see if truly the applauds and attraction has not become our motivator in place of a genuine desire to please God. Hobnobbing with the world only gradually and steadily detaches us from the reality of our calling and ministry. Pray that the Lord will keep your heart from the poison of fame.
About the Creator
Ernest Kobby Baah
I’m a firm believer in what the message of the cross can immensely accomplish in an individuals life if he or she is willing to submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
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