“And [the devil] led [Christ] to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here; [the crowd will love it.]'” (Luke 4:9 with my paraphrase)
There’s a certain euphoria that comes from applause. (I know. I’ve experienced it.) It’s a “high.” Like a balloon, you’re lifted up. It makes you feel good. You’re floating on “cloud nine.”
But there’s a problem that can arise with applause. A person can become addicted to it. (It’s true.) You can become hooked by the cheers of the crowd, their slapping you on the back / expressing appreciation ~ so much so that you begin looking for another (your next) “fix.”
Applause can be as addicting as cocaine. (Have you noticed?)
So why are you doing what you’re doing?
About Pastor Mike
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Pastor Mike, we must have been on the same wavelength. I posted a similar topic on my blog yesterday. I am one of those struggling – not so much applause as approval. Check it out and thanks for your posts. They always make me think.
In a world that says we get our self-esteem by people being good to us, accepting us; applause seems to be the apex of such social conditioning. We’re being setup to be addicted.
There is a pastor who did a series of tapes called “The Truth Behind Hip Hop.” He also addresses how the craving for applause (and approval) has lead to Christians being seduced away from the sacred and into the profane.
I just wanted to mention that because reading your post brought it to mind.
As always, enjoying the posts.