We can cultivate friendships with certain people because we think we can get ahead by having that friendship. If you are in middle school or in high school, you may decide you are going to make a friendship with this person who is popular because, even if you do not admit it to yourself, you so desperately want to be popular and liked. You really do not like that person, but that person can get you ahead, so you try to get in with him. Or at work, you may show special favour to someone who you think can advance your career. Or as the homemaker, you may favour another woman in the church who is especially respected as a godly mother and wife. You may do that not because you really want to learn from her, but because other people will think highly of you if you were friends with that woman, so that you will look good. The praise of men is subtle. It is dangerous. James does not say, just do not do that; he says, trust in Jesus. I fight against the praise of men nearly every day. It is a fight, isn't it? It is a battle. And James reminds us when we are fighting, to put our trust in Jesus. He is glorious. He will satisfy you.¹

Thomas Schreiner