Great, But with Whom?

Naaman… was a great man with his master…” —2 Kings 5:1

“…he [John the Baptist] shall be great in the sight of the Lord…” —Luke 1:15

Naaman was “a great man WITH HIS MASTER…”  A person’s so-called “greatness” depends on the company he keeps.  For example: There are those who are “great” with the world, but don’t amount to anything with the Lord—in reality they are “a leper.”    It is one thing to be “great” with your peers, and another thing to be great with the Lord.

If you only keep company with one particular crowd, you will only hear what that crowd says about you.  Birds of a feather flock together.  If you only surround yourself with people who think you’re special, how will you know if you may not be as great as people think you are?  The danger in only hearing people’s accolades is you may actually start to believe it!

Beware of the praises of people. Be content with rejoicing in yourself alone, and not in another (Gal. 6:4). It doesn’t matter how great people think you are. All that really counts is the praise that comes from God (1 Cor. 4:5). Jesus asked, “How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?” (John 5:44).  Read Romans 2:29.

I heard someone offer this advice:  Spend some time in the company of people who don’t particularly like you.  It will be good for you and will help you to have a balanced view of yourself.  It will keep you from having illusions of grandeur (Rom. 12:3; Gal. 6:3).