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Jumpstarter 10 of 10

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Question 10

The lesson connects “whose praise is not from men, but from God” to Judah’s name (“praise”) and Jesus’ warning about practicing righteousness to be seen; what hidden motives—ministry reputation, online visibility, theological correctness, activism, spiritual disciplines—most tempt you to seek “praise from men,” and what concrete practices could re-train you to pursue praise from God alone?

Another way to ask: The lesson warns about seeking “praise from men” instead of from God. What motives most tempt you to chase people’s approval (like reputation, online attention, being right, activism, or spiritual habits), and what specific habits could help you seek God’s approval instead?

Direct Answer The transcript warns that outwardly visible righteousness can become a hunt for human applause; the “inner Jew” seeks “the praise of God,” who “examines the heart.” Concrete retraining, based on Jesus and Paul as quoted, is to practice righteousness with an aim toward the Father’s reward and to remember God will reveal “the counsels of the hearts.”

Support from Transcript:

Paul’s phrase is emphasized: “whose praise is not from men, but from God.”
Origen’s insight: the inner Jew “does not seek the praise of his brothers, but the praise of God.”
Ambrosiaster: this circumcision “is hidden from humans, but visible to God alone. For God examines the heart, not the flesh.”
Contrast is drawn: “the Jews receive their praise from man, for they boast in their fleshly circumcision.”
Jesus’ warning is quoted: “Take heed that you do not give your alms before men to be seen by them… you have no reward from your Father.”
Paul adds accountability: God will “bring to light the hidden things… reveal the counsels of the hearts, then each one’s praise will come from God.”

Discussion Follow-ups Which “outward things” in your Christian life are most visible to others, and how might that visibility shape your motives? What would change if you planned spiritual practices specifically to be “hidden from humans” but “visible to God alone”?

Jumpstarter 10 of 10