Dick Bennett, a very successful college basketball coach once said, “Don’t listen too much when they cheer or jeer.” He passed this wisdom on to his son, Tony, who is an outstanding basketball coach in his own right.
Tony passed the wisdom on to me.
Both men had learned the dangers of listening too closely when people are cheering for you. Or, when they’re jeering against you.
Cheers can quickly become jeers. And vice versa.
Scripture says it this way, “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe” (Prov. 29:25).
We must be cautious when it comes to the praises of man. They were one of the reasons the religious leaders laid a trap to kill Jesus (John 12:43). They were jealous of his success.
Live to please only God. People’s opinions are fickle and can change in a moment.
Dick Bennett knew this truth. As did his son, Tony.
Jesus did as well.
Said one more time: Don’t listen too much when people cheer or jeer.