It Starts Small

Looking for approval in all the wrong places is not a new problem. All throughout the Word of God, people struggled with caring more about what people thought of them than God. God created us from the beginning with an appetite for approval that only He can fill.

Peter ended up denying Jesus three times because he cared more about what people would think of him for being Jesus’ disciple (Luke 22:54-62). Moses almost missed his calling because he was so afraid of what people would think of his public speaking (Exodus 4:10-17). Today we see another example:

⁴⁰ He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their hearts,
so that they would not see with their eyes
or understand with their hearts,
and turn,
and I would heal them.

⁴¹ Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke about him.

⁴² Nevertheless, many did believe in him even among the rulers, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, so that they would not be banned from the synagogue. ⁴³ For they loved human praise more than praise from God.

⁴⁴ Jesus cried out, “The one who believes in me believes not in me, but in him who sent me. ⁴⁵ And the one who sees me sees him who sent me. John 12:40-45

Some believe in Jesus but would not confess Him because they were more afraid of what others would think of their beliefs.

So the real question we need to ask ourselves: Do I care more about what people think of me than what God knows about me?

Trying to please people is a dangerous trap Satan wants us to fall into. You will never actually please a person. Once you think you have, they will demand more and more from you. But, when we choose to accept what God says about us we are free to stop trying to gain temporary approval from people and to start enjoying the permanent identity we have in Christ. God says we are His masterpiece, His son or daughter, that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by His own hands. God does not reject what he has made, only humans reject people.

Today, identify who or what you have been seeking approval from. How can you find this approval from God instead?

A person who flatters his neighbor
spreads a net for his feet.
Proverbs 29:25

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Part 1: Craving Approval
Part 2: Looking for Approval
Part 3: People Pleasing
Part 4: Approval in Christ