Hi everyone it's Leslie Lutie host of the Set-A-G podcast, biblical encouragement for women of all ages.

Today in our series on Brave-Hearted Womanhood, we're going to be talking about living for heaven's

applause. Another way you could say that would be laying down our

pursuit of popularity. There's a popular notion in Christian circles today that we can

actually be a better influence for Christ if we learn

how to fit into the world and if we're applauded and accepted by the culture and you

see this really so many different places in Christian circles. I remember hearing

something on a Christian radio station one time where the radio station was so

excited that a popular Christian artist was invited to open for a secular rock concert.

Now this guy wasn't able to share his faith, he wasn't able to really make it even known that he was a Christian,

but just the fact that he was associated

with a very ungodly secular rock star in the public eye was seen as a positive thing by this

radio show.

I remember being in a pastor's office one time, a very popular, well-known type of pastor,

and he had his wall covered with photos of himself with very ungodly popular Hollywood celebrities

and athletes.

And the idea was sort of like if we can be associated with the things that are popular in this world

and maybe people will think of Christianity as being more appealing and

maybe it'll give us a better witness. And it seems like any Christian who has

found favor with Hollywood or has had a reality TV show or has been on Oprah

somehow automatically gains credibility in the Christian world.

We somehow think that if we are popular in the world's eyes, we are a great witness for Christ.

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