The Perils of Your Popular Life
God will bless every Christ-follower with a degree of influence. We are saved “unto good works” and called to touch other lives in ministry. But if we lose our sense of clear purpose, we can easily succumb to the lure of popularity and the tendency toward people-pleasing. Given these pitfalls, we can learn much from an account of Jesus’ life.
The Gift of God-Given Influence
Luke 4:38-40 tells the account of the Master’s instantaneous and miraculous healing of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, followed by late-night ministering to a growing crowd seeking His healing power. It says, “He laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.”
Concerning His wondrous works, Jesus explained, “The Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves” (John 14:10–11).
God the Father worked through Jesus with profound impact. The Lord then declares this about the ministry God has given to you and me through the indwelling Spirit and His gifts: “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12).
First Corinthians 12:7 tells us, “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” Ephesians 2:10 affirms, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
If we are committed to ministry in any fashion, we will become connected to people who are truly grateful for the blessings we bring to their lives. The real issue for every Christian is not whether God desires to use us—but rather, whether we are available to be used and how we will handle the influence God entrusts to us.
The real issue for every Christian is not whether God desires to use us—but rather, whether we are available to be used and how we will handle the influence God entrusts to us.
The Maturity of Managing Influence
We know an element of spiritual battle always confronts us as we serve others in Jesus’ name. In this story, we find a fascinating strategy by the demons as the account unfolds. Luke 4:41 states, “And demons also came out of many, crying, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Christ.”
Leon Morris noted, “The refusal to allow the demons to disclose that Jesus was the Christ was perhaps to forestall nationalistic Messianic movements.” [i] In our day, one form of spiritual attack and potential trouble is the temptation to grow a platform or lead a movement outside the Spirit’s will and guidance. The lure of ambition and notoriety can eclipse humble trust and tempt us to expand our influence beyond the parameters of the Lord’s blessing. As we will see, Jesus sets an example for us in managing this dilemma.
In our day, one form of spiritual attack and potential trouble is the temptation to grow a platform or lead a movement outside the Spirit’s will and guidance.
The Source of True Perspective and Power
Rising before dawn the next day, Jesus exemplifies the commitment and clarity we all need in the midst of growing ministry influence. Luke 4:42 goes on to explain, “And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place.” Mark’s version of this moment states, “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed” (Mark 1:35).
The renowned Scottish Presbyterian minister Robert Murray McCheyne said it well: “What a man is alone on his knees before God, that he is, and nothing more.” Time spent away from the spotlight of human enthusiasts for the resolute purpose of prayer helps put life and ministry in perspective. The measurements of superficial popularity fade in light of the ever-true scoreboard of eternity. In worship, we are arrested again by the reality of God’s character, His plan, and His accurate assessment of us. The rhythm of knowing that He alone is worthy keeps us ever mindful that we are desperately needy. We are gripped afresh by Paul’s declaration, “What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). Jesus’ humble dependence reminds us that we are not called to be rock stars but righteous stewards of His grace.
Time spent away from the spotlight of human enthusiasts for the resolute purpose of prayer helps put life and ministry in perspective. The measurements of superficial popularity fade in light of the ever-true scoreboard of eternity.
The Purpose that Regulates Influence
As soon as Jesus finished praying, temptation struck again—this time not from the demons, but from the enthusiastic expectations of His followers.
And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea (Luke 4:42-44).
Jesus’ humble dependence reminds us that we are not called to be rock stars but righteous stewards of His grace.
I’ve been helped countless times by the truism that “the power of ‘no’ is in a stronger ‘yes.'” When we know our God-imparted, Christ-honoring, gospel-centric purpose, we will have the clarity and conviction to proceed gracefully in obedience to God’s call, not the siren song of all the people we serve. There will always be more expectations than we can satisfy and more needs than we could ever meet.
Of course, all should cherish the fellowship and blessing of other believers. But, we must also ask God to reveal the subtle but derailing “need to be needed.” Obedience to our purpose honors the Savior. At its core, giving in to affirmation and adulation can be focused on the self.
Of course, all should cherish the fellowship and blessing of other believers. But, we must also ask God to reveal the subtle but derailing “need to be needed.”
I learned long ago that a need does not necessarily constitute a call. A call constitutes a call. Christ calls us to be the light of the world. But diffused light is often weak—like a small 25-watt bulb trying to illumine a large room. Focused light can be like a powerful laser cutting through many obstacles to hit the target. Our target is God’s purpose for our life. He is ready to impart clarity about our “yes,” give gracious courage for our “no,” and provide all the discernment we need to walk in the good works to which He has called us.
Copyright © 2025 Daniel Henderson. All rights reserved.
[i] Leon Morris, Luke: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 3, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988), 130.