Live for Your Audience of One

Read Exodus 32:1-14.

Every day, you and I must choose to pursue either image or integrity. Image is all about how we look and what people think of us. It’s style over substance. Integrity, on the other hand, is doing what’s right, regardless of what people think. Everyone is tempted to choose image over integrity. It’s a daily showdown none of us can afford to take lightly.

Aaron knew this temptation well. While Moses was atop Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments from the Lord, Aaron was down below with the people, and there was a mutiny brewing. The people were tired of waiting and wanted an idol to worship. Aaron was not the sort of man to put an end to their mutiny regardless of what it might cost. Instead, he discovered that he was prone to compromise. Simply put, Aaron wanted to be liked. He was living for an audience of millions. So, he did what they asked: He made them a golden calf to worship.

Wanting to be liked will always lead us to compromise. But in Christ, we have the power to resist this temptation. We have been changed—made new—to live for an audience of one. We know what Christ says about us matters infinitely more than anything else. In His strength, we can choose integrity over image because we are not alone. Our God is with us.

Prayer: Father, forgive me for the ways I try to please man rather than please You. Help me to see the ways I seek praise for myself rather than Your delight. May I find full satisfaction in Your pleasure with me as I cling to Your Word and seek Your face. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.