Last year, I published a post entitled: Vain Glory. It stands as a concise introduction to the futilities the carnal mind tends to gravitate upon. Today, I would like to build on that introduction and expand on these enticing vanities liable to geld the heart and divert the mind.

The love of fame

If the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil (1 Tim. 6:10), the love of fame is surely no better, for it has the ability to skulk into our life as to render it fruitless and void of eternal values. For that reason, we should never scoff at its appeal nor fraternize with its basic principles. One thing is certain: celebrity, stardom and prestige have never been the target of the Crucified. From beginning to end, His life was an expression of service and self-effacement. His mental makeup has been encapsulated in these words:

For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.” (Luke 22:27)

It is the desire to recline at the table that has mired down many Christians. As it has been observed time and again, the craving for recognition and popularity always boomerangs on one’s self, causing harm and ruin. It is, indisputably, a pathway to unhealthy concessions and a drifting away from the pattern that was shown to us on the mountain (Heb. 8:5). Surely, such a mindset opposes the mental frame of Jesus.

The divine injunction has not dwindled with the passing of the years:

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men” (Phil. 2:5–7).

The Christian who gives heed to these words will secure his path and find himself walking in the footsteps of the Savior.

The worldly mind versus the heavenly mind

There is a passage in the Scriptures that briefly outlines the route to worldly fame, a route trodden by unbelievers and believers alike. I am referring to the words uttered by Jesus’ brothers just before the Feast of Tabernacles. They told Him:

Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. ⁴ For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” (John 7:3–4).

Here the basic rule leading to worldly fame is clearly stated. In fact, it is not only stated, it is stated absolutely: “For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly.”

So here our attention is drawn to a specific group of people, namely, those who seek to be known openly. It is precisely this sort of egocentric seeking that must be avoided, for it is vain in its very core and altogether unprofitable. Therefore, no serious Christian should embark on such a useless pursuit.

Jesus’ brothers had rightly noticed that these seekers of fame are, by definition, bent to exhibitionism. Here are their words:

For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly.”

That is to say, if you want to be in the public eye you will not do your good works in secret. The context of their words unveil their assumption, viz., that their Brother was a seeker of fame. Hence, they told Him: “If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” For them, this was the only logical course of action.

A deceptive aspiration

The desire to show off, which is implanted in the carnal mind, is all too common among believers—at least, when we have something prestigious to exhibit. In most cases, if one of us would know he is about to raise someone from the dead, the general tendency would be to invite as many people as possible, including reporters and journalists. We would make sure, or at least wish, the event reaches the world through social media as fast as possible. But remarkably, Jesus did none of this.

When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. ⁵² Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping.” ⁵³ And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead. ⁵⁴ But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” ⁵⁵ Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. ⁵⁶ And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened.” (Luke 8:51–56)

Here we have discretion: “He permitted no one to go in except …” And “He charged them to tell no one what had happened.” What a contrast with the popular evangelists of the day. All this confirms the Lord’s words when He says:

““For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.” (Isaiah 55:8)

What I am saying is that Jesus is not a seeker of fame and neither should we. After all, why should we live in the vicinity of an egotistical behavior? What is there to be harvested but frustration or self-conceit.

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