Episode 39: Toxic Fame
In today’s world, we’re not just living our moments, we’re sharing them (constantly) - waiting for likes, waiting for a growth in our audience that watches what we do and how we do it. Fame-chasers are all around, looking for the next hot video, product, or way to garnish as much attention as possible.
Fame isn’t always a bad thing. There will always be certain people who are noticed or stand out. But fame can become toxic when we seek it over and above the approval of God. When fame (or being noticed or being liked) becomes the point, Jesus is moved from His rightful place as Lord of our lives. HE is the famous One where all eyes and attention should rest. Even though they didn’t have social media during Bible times, they did have ways of monitoring success. One of those ways was taking a census of the population. Doesn’t sound like much now, but it was a huge deal back then. In fact, it was commanded that one should not take a census unless directly ordered to by God.
1 Chronicles 18-21 explains how King David was the leader of extraordinary success. He was crushing enemy Kings, consistently gaining territory and garnering accolades of man. The Bible says, “The Lord gave him great victory,” - he was doing everything right as a leader. Suddenly the story begins to change in Chapter 21. “Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.”
At first glance, it may seem like, “What’s the big deal? What’s wrong with a census?” But Moses (Exodus 30:12) instructed the people that only God could call for a census. Taking a census implied that David owned the territory, ultimately making it his. Moses knew that God owned Israel, and everything within it belonged to Him alone. This one decision led to great heartache and destruction in David’s life and in the life of Israel. Even though his chief commander, Joab, warned him against the decision, David overruled the objection, which ultimately brought great sin on the land.
In this story, we see that there are three toxic pitfalls when dealing with fame:
1. PRIDE, which says, “I’m so great!”.
2. COMPARISON, which says,“They’re so great. Let’s be more like them!” Or… “I’m so great…I’m surely better than them.”
3. FEAR, which says, “I’m scared I’ll lose my greatness.”
To overcome these pitfalls and live with Gutsy Faith, a few things are necessary. To overcome Pride:
Give God glory over and over throughout the day. Ask God continually, “What can I do to bring your name glory?”
Meditate on Psalm 115 “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory.”
Comparison:
Consider your tendencies towards insecurity and over-security. If you constantly feel unworthy or superior, this is a wound that needs the healing touch of the Lord.
Fear:
Fear can stir wrong emotions in us and lead to poor vision. If David had trusted God, and exclusively given credit to Him for the victories, many lives would have been saved and the right perspective modeled.
Gutsy Faith Challenge: Ask yourself - whose approval have you sought today? This week? This year? Commit to seeking approval from the Lord, before and above anyone else. Remember, you have nothing to prove and only One to please.
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