Our Lord spoke these words with regard to those hypocritical professors of religion who sought the glory of men and were fond of having their religious exercises seen of men. When they had accomplished what they sought for, they therein received their reward, but what a pathetic and transitory reward it was. What a vain thing they sought, and what an empty bubble it was when attained! Both the seeking for it, and the giving of it to others, is equally abominable to God. Seeking glory of men is an attempt to usurp the throne from God and to receive that which belongs only to Him. The guilty parties seek to make little gods of themselves. 

    The Lord calls them hypocrites, and very aptly do they fit that description. What greater example of hypocrisy could be found than that of a man pretending to be serving God while in reality seeking the glory of men and desiring to have his devotions observed by the same? And how devoid of principle must they be who are not afraid to seek their own advancement under the pretense of serving God! They are indeed hypocrites and so are those who give them the glory they seek. 

    How abhorrent to the apostles of Christ was the thought of receiving glory of men (See Acts 10:25, 26---14:11-18--- I Cor. 2:1-5 & I Thess. 2:6). They were men of principle who sought nothing but the glory of God and the good of His people. They not only did not seek the glory of men for themselves but they also taught them that they should turn from such idolatrous vanities to worship and serve the living and true God. Like John the Baptist, they felt unworthy to stoop down and unloose their Lord's shoe latchets. And so it is with His true servants today. 

   What pathetic characters are those who desire the praise of men, and who desire it so much that they are glad to accept it, even if it must come from other hypocrites. May the Lord deliver us from all suggestions of idolatry and from all vestiges of hypocritical religion. May our chief aim always be the glory of God and the mortification of our flesh.