Popularity Problems

We live in an age when popular is king. Everyone wants to be popular. We describe music and musicians as popular when we talk about pop music. They are people who produce music that the general population likes and wants to hear more of on the radio. Presidential elections concern themselves with the popular vote. Does the candidate look the right way, say the right things, come across as caring or personal? Does the platform that a candidate run on speak to my needs or desires? Teens reach an age when being popular in school is important. So they dress, act, and participate in things that will make others like them. In the hit musical Wicked, there is even a song about being popular. It talks about the way one fixes their hair, or the choice of shoes and clothing. Participating in certain sports, talking the right way, and spending time with a certain group of people. From an early age, and in a variety of ways, our culture begins to teach us that being popular is important. We see it at work, at school, and even at church.

The word popular is defined as, “regarded with favor, approval, or affection by people in general.” For the Christian, this definition ought to cause us to cringe. Why? Because popularity is based on what other people think. Popularity makes the desire of man or culture the standard for living. Popular relies on phrases like, “everyone is doing it” or “I just want to fit in” to support conduct, morality, or ethical standards. Popularity makes culture our authority and for the disciple of Jesus, this is unacceptable.

In this week’s reading, we see the pitfalls of seeking popularity. Remember that Israel has asked Samuel for a king. Samuel has talked to God and God has appointed a king in Israel. Saul is the first king of Israel.

If you grew up hearing about Saul, your first impressions are not good ones. We often think of Saul as the madman who chased David, got lost in jealousy, and lost his kingdom. But look closely and you will see that Saul started off well. He was a decisive leader who saved Israel from the Ammonites. He fought against the Philistines. He honored the ark of God and listened to Samuel. Saul was a great first king. He was chosen by God and popular among the people. He was tall, good looking, a gifted military leader, and concerned with the people of Israel. So what happened?

Saul sought popularity. In 1 Samuel 15, the prophet Samuel goes to King Saul and tells him that the Lord has decided to move against the Amalekites. The Amalekites were the enemy of Israel and had oppressed God’s people when they came out of Egypt and were headed to the promised land. God told Saul, through Samuel, to go against the Amalekites and devote everything to destruction. Saul obeyed the command to fight and the Amalekites were defeated. But Saul did not devote everything to destruction. Saul allowed the people to keep the best sheep and oxen as spoils of war. When confronted by Samuel, Saul was honest and told him in 1 Samuel 15:24 that he did not fully obey God because he was afraid of the people. Saul wanted to be liked rather than be obedient. The result was catastrophic for Saul. Because of his actions, God decided to remove the kingdom from Saul and give it to another.

As Christians today we are called to be followers of God, not followers of the culture. We live by one standard, the standard of Jesus. We follow one voice, the voice of God. What the world thinks, or what the world wants, is not our focus or our guide. While it is a struggle to turn away from the world, to turn away from popularity, it is important to spiritual health. We cannot live with an ever shifting change in morality. We must build lives on the anchor of God’s character.

What ways do you seek popularity? How does the world call us to a different standard than God calls us to follow? Where do you most need the strength of God to stand up to the world? These are important questions to ask as we read this week. Embedding the Bible means we embed a standard for living. A standard that flows from the presence, promise, and power of God.

My prayer for you this week is that you can stand with God in every moment. That the voices of the world become dim in your ears and in your heart. My prayer is that you can look like Jesus as you live out His nature and character in every moment.