And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.

Solomon was popular. He had wisdom, worldly riches, women, he made a temple for God, he wrote the proverbs.

Yet his opinion of his life given in the book of Ecclesiastes show that all of these things that most people would think would make for a perfect life, left him dissatisfied & empty in the end.

[Ecclesiastes 7:16] Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

Vanity appears 33 times in the book of Ecclesiastes.

[Ecclesiastes 2:23] For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.

[Job 35:13] Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.

Popularity breeds vanity.

[Psalm 4:2] O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing?

I pray God shows you all that you need to complete your assignment. In Jesus Name. 

changed on Wednesday, March 09, 2005 6:18:02 AM

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

This seems clear that striving for popularity is not pleasing to God. 

changed on Wednesday, March 09, 2005 4:59:03 AM

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

Striving for popularity is not humbling yourself before God & waiting on him. God decides when we will be exalted, or popular. Any attempts on our own would take compromise, & still you will fall eventually. 

changed on Tuesday, March 08, 2005 6:15:34 PM

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Denying yourself would be the opposite of seeking popularity. Popularity is self-seeking. 

changed on Tuesday, March 08, 2005 6:11:48 PM

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

If you gain popularity, what will you gain? What will it cost you? These are the questions you need to answer.

Jesus was popular as long as he had something the people wanted. But at some point, everyone loses their popularity, unless you compromise to please the crowd. Again, what will popularity cost you? 

changed on Tuesday, March 08, 2005 6:07:07 PM

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

It seems here that the religious leaders were acting in a way to receive praise from men. To be popular, you need to be seen in a way that others glorify you. We need to have others see Jesus in the way we act & not point to ourselves. 

changed on Tuesday, March 08, 2005 6:02:27 PM