Adulation is Poison-Don’t Believe it!

David and Marva Coombs

     Heaping praise upon others is dangerous both to those who bestow it but particularly is harmful to those who receive it. The best thing people can do is not to seek fame in the first place. If fame and glory does come, people should shrug it off, knowing it is most often the position that is praised, not them. Above all, they should not believe all the wonderful things that are said about them. When people start believing they are the best, the greatest, the finest and the most loved above all, they are on the crest of a wave of popularity which is temporary and  crashes on the beach and is gone. Those who are famous now will soon be forgotten; vanity will swamp others for a season.

     While the popular phrase,“Pride goeth before the fall” is true, the actual Biblical verse is even more powerful, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before the fall” (Proverbs 16:18). People who want to be famous really don’t understand the destructive forces that await them.

Of course, people should work hard, achieve and do wonderful things, but it is also vitally important that they maintain humility and that they remember they are terribly human. They must never forget that their gifts come from God; they must understand that they are not better, not more worthy, not more entitled to anything than other people. The Apostle Paul said, “For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself” (Galations 6:3).    

     Look what adulation has done to famous movie stars, models, athletes, rock stars and politicians. Many think they do whatever they want, can have whatever they want. But they do so at a high price; in fact, they often lose those things that are most valuable like their families. Those who are lifted up in pride are damaged spiritually. The Savior said, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). Many have have sold their souls for popularity.

     Note that the Ten Commandments begin with,“Thou shalt have no other Gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). Fame is a god that many choose to worship. Additionally, it can be destructive for people to worship the famous. To do so is to worship gods with feet of clay.

     The scriptures document examples of the effects of adulation. King Saul enjoyed fame and good fortune and thought he could do no wrong. But his fame went to his head and when he disobeyed God, the Lord sent his prophet Samuel to Saul.  Samuel said, “For thou has rejected the word of the Lord and the Lord hath rejected thee” (I Samuel 15:26). 

     King David was chosen to take Saul’s place, but he too failed the test when he allowed his fame and power to affect his thinking. When he saw the beautiful Bathsheba, he lusted after her. As king, he felt he could take whatever he wanted. Because of his pride, he lost all. (See II Samuel 11-12).

     Few people can handle the intoxicating power, the headiness, that comes from fan’s heaping adulation upon them. They lose perspective and think they are above the law. The lack of humility causes them to think of themselves as better and more important than others. They become arrogant, thoughtless, inconsiderate, selfish, egotistical and self-centered.

     Wisdom teaches us not to seek adulation; it is poison. Rather than seeking other’s adoration, the worthier goal is to so live as to have God pleased with us. We may never be popular and may stand alone among our peers, but we will have peace of conscience and the approval of our Heavenly Father. Fame is temporary, but life with God is forever. The Savior said: ‘He that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 18:14).

Dr. Coombs is a professional marriage, family and individual counselor. He and his wife Marva write articles together and offer presentations on marriage and family life. Call 435-705-3579  or email to DrDavidCoombs@gmail.com or visit www.DrDavidCoombs.com.