What Does the Bible Say about the Pursuit of Fame?

Brought to you by

The idea of being famous is extremely popular today. It is easy to become obsessed with the things of Hollywood, such as films, television shows, and the music industry. Many people have a deep desire to become famous and actively pursue fame.

While it is often accepted and even praised to pursue fame in the modern-day, what does the Bible say?

The Hall of Fame

Pursuing fame is normally done out of pride or an obsession. It’s hard to seek out humility while seeking out fame. God wants us to be humble as the Bible says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (1 Peter 5:6).

Humility is normally stripped away when a person is trying to pursue fame. It is easy to become obsessed with a fame-filled life, with online platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Wanting to become famous can be associated with many negative feelings, emotions, and actions.

Sometimes people can do extremely drastic measures in order to become famous, such as in the modeling world or in acting. When a person wants to pursue fame, one must look at their motives. Everything in our life goes back to our heart motives.

We have to ask ourselves, “What is my motive for wanting to be famous?” Oftentimes, we may answer this with “I want people to know me and think that I’m cool.” Not many of us would answer with, “I want to use my fame as a platform to share Christ.”

If a Christian is famous or becomes famous, it is important to share their testimony with the world. As a celebrity and a Christian, it could help extend the gospel to many people who may not have heard it otherwise.

There are many celebrities who are passionate about their Christian faith such as Sadie Robertson, Chris Pratt, and Candace Cameron Bure. Therefore, wanting to be famous to be a platform for the gospel is not wrong; however, most of us do not want to be famous for this reason.

Most people want to be famous to be adored and liked by others. If you are pursuing fame because you want to be loved, let me share with you that you are already dearly known and loved by the Creator of the heavens and the earth.

Already Known by God

Wanting to be famous to get attention, be popular, or to be known is not right. God already knows you and He dearly loves you. He knew you before you were even born because He created you (Jeremiah 1:5).

The Bible tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-16). God did not make a mistake when He made you because you are His wonderful creation, made in His Image (Genesis 1:27).

The Bible tells us that if we love God, we are known by God (1 Corinthians 8:3). God knows you, sees you, and loves you. Every single thought that crosses your head, God knows. He loves you and adores you even at your darkest (Romans 5:8).

You do not need adoration from the world because you already have God. The Lord loves you unconditionally and that will never change. If you were famous, your fans’ love for you could waver and change.

Maybe you were in a bad movie or said something out of line and you got canceled, and now nobody likes you anymore. That is not how it works with God. His love for you will not change depending on the day nor will He ever love you less.

You are known by God and deeply loved by Him. Fame can never give you the love you need because that love is only found in God. As Francesca Battistelli sings, “I don't need my name in lights/I'm famous in my Father's eyes” is completely true.

Living for God

You do not have to be famous or have a platform in order to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sharing the gospel can be done in your everyday life. We often think our daily walk with Jesus does not make a difference to others, but they do.

The love you extend and the light you shine for Christ will be a living testimony of the compassion, grace, and redemption of Jesus Christ. By living your life for God, you can share the gospel and make a difference with your life.

You do not have to be famous in order to make a difference for Christ. God is known for using the weak things of the world to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). God can use you as you are to make a difference for Him.

There are hundreds of missionaries sent out each year, yet we may never know their names. Even though we do not see them as famous or glorious such as Hollywood celebrities, these individuals are making a difference for Christ.

When we are at the end of our lives, we do not want to regret how we lived our lives because we did not live them in service to God.

Rather, we would rather look back with joy in our hearts, knowing that we served Christ with every fiber of our bodies. When we live for Christ, we are truly making a difference for Him.

Dangers of Fame

Not many people look at the dangers of fame when they are actively pursuing fame. Fame can be associated with many harmful things, such as drug addiction, alcohol addiction, and other consequential decisions. Many in the industry abuse their position in power.

Before a person decides to pursue a career in the film, television, or music industry, the individual needs to know it is not all clear skies ahead. It is easy to be hurt, abused, and rejected within Hollywood.

If you don’t look a certain way, act a certain way, or talk a certain way, you could lose your entire career. Careers in Hollywood are so uncertain as we can see this in our lives. How many times have actors or actresses simply stopped showing up in movies?

Maybe they fell out of favor with a producer or a company, so they lost their part in a movie. Careers in the film business are uncertain and not reliable. Likewise, in the music world, a record label could drop you. Fame can be quickly lived, and the person could be just a “one-hit” wonder.

In time, your fame can be quickly forgotten. In other words, fame is so uncertain and can easily fly away. Getting a job in the Hollywood scene can be extremely difficult and can end quickly. This is why we must not turn to fame for worth.

You are completely worthy as you already are — a beloved child of God. There is no need to pursue fame because God already adores you as you are. You are known by the Creator of the world, and He loves you.

The pursuit of fame can leave us disappointed, rejected, and heartbroken. Whenever we place our worth in anything besides God, we are going to have problems. Rather than seeking out our worth in being famous, we need to recognize the worth that we already have because of Christ.

If you are pursuing fame today, understand that being famous will not give you what you are looking for. It will not give you a sense of worth, love, and joy. Only God can give you the knowledge of His love, the joy of knowing Him, and the worth that comes from faith in Jesus.

For further reading:

5 Christian Celebrities Who Live Out Their Faith in Hollywood

Does Salvation Affect More Than Just Eternity?

What Did Jesus Mean That We Will Have Trouble in This World?

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Paul Bradbury

Vivian Bricker loves Jesus, studying the Word of God, and helping others in their walk with Christ. She has earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master's degree in Christian Ministry with a deep academic emphasis in theology. Her favorite things to do are spending time with her family and friends, reading, and spending time outside. When she is not writing, she is embarking on other adventures.

This article originally appeared on Christianity.com. For more faith-building resources, visit Christianity.com.