One of the greatest insecurities most of us suffer is approval. We seek the approval of those around us. We seek our spouses approval. We seek the approval of our children, our boss, our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. We seek it from our friends, family, and the world. We desire deep down for approval.
You may have heard that expression used by pastors and teachers: show thyself approved. What if the approval we seek or the idea of approval from others is the wrong focus of our hearts? What if the deep approval we desire can only come from God, Himself?
Paul writes to Timothy: Do your best to present yourself to God as approved. A worker who is not ashamed and correctly handles the truth. How are we supposed to handle the word of truth? In Ephesians, Paul writes the word of truth is a sword of the Spirit. A sword is designed for one purpose: to kill. So we should not be lighthearted when God’s Word is described as a sword.
The KJV uses the phrase rightly dividing. The Greek translation for the phrase “correctly (rightly) handling (dividing),” is orthotomeō and it means to make straight and smooth, to handle aright, to teach the truth directly and correctly. To cut anything straight requires skill beyond a beginner.
In Paul’s final letter, he is fierce in defending of the inerrant word of God and is straightforward as he gives charge to those who share scriptures with others. We may not preach or teach to crowds, but consider how often our children need guidance, a co-worker without Christ asks for advice, or a friend reaches out in need of hope. DO we share an opinion or do we share the Truth? God says, we should study to show ourselves approved so that we will be ready to wield the word of truth at a moment’s notice.
When we read this final letter of Paul we can feel the weight of the chains as he penned this final letter. He knows his days are numbered and we can sense his urgency. He knew that Timothy (and ultimately you and I) would require doctrinal truths to remain strong and intact. We must know and practice the word of truth. We need to refuse the amateurs in the world of false teachers who hone their skills for destruction.
John writes (John 15:8), This is my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. We must show ourselves approved because it is response to who we are in Christ. We are no longer shackled to sin or the world. We are free to make every effort to be godly, holy, loving, and producing of good works.
Many of us strive to get someone’s approval. Most often it is a parent’s approval. We do not consider our Heavenly Father’s approval. The good news is that gaining our Heavenly Father’s approval is not our of reach. Pleasing God is attainable for all of us Christ followers. The problem is when we focus on on other’s approval we loose the focus of God all together.
There’s is nothing wrong with good hard work. We all desire to work hard and receieve the blessing of our hard work. But we need to ask ourselves, who are we working hard for and why? Working for ourselves and people pleasing bring terrible consequences and traps to our lives. We’ll never be perfect on this side of heaven, but when we refuse to grow in righteousness, there will likely be consequences:
– We will begin to conform to the pattern of this world (Romans 12:2), becoming more susceptible to sin.
– We become a target for temptation, which is not a sin, but if allowed to make itself at home in our hearts and mind, it can wreak havoc in our lives and our witness for Christ.
– We may (even unknowingly) lead others astray by our recklessness. Yes, sin is sin, but some carry heavier consequences, and this is one of them. (Luke 12:47-48, Matthew 18:6)
How do we study to show ourselves approved?
We must practice spiritual discipline and believe that all of God’s Word is the absolute truth. The following is a list that has helped me keep the right focus in studying God’s Word. It is not about me and what I can get out of it for me, it’s about God and what he can do with His truth.
1. Read the Bible with purpose. Keep a journal handy and jot down what you learn about your Heavenly Father – His desires, ways, and character. Write down what He says about you. Write down and meditate upon the things he says “to be” and the things he says “not to be.” Have an honest inward look into your heart and purposefully and intently allow God to sweep it out of your heart.
2. Study God’s Word for yourself. “…if you truly call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure, then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God….” (Proverbs 2:4) I love commentaries and podcasts! I love hearing others share their thoughts and insights from God, but take your own time to read it for yourself and let the Holy Spirit speak through His word to you.
3. Pray throughout the day. Time set aside to concentrate on prayer is excellent, but we can also pray with our eyes open throughout the day. Doing so helps us stay alert to ways we can pray for people and situations and celebrate as we see God at work through those prayers.
4. Take steps to move toward biblical community. Extroverts, introverts, and every believer in between, is called to do life with other believers.
5. Seek out an accountability partner.
6. Be a “Paul.” Pour time and energy into sharing the word of truth with the next generation.
7. Be a “Timothy.” Remain open to learning and growing in the faith regardless of age.
The Word of God is our greatest renewing each day! Each day God’s mercy is new by His revelation in our lives. His Word feeds our greatest hunger in our Spirit. When we learn and respond in obedience, we are given approval by God and that desire to seek approval of others disappears. We find we do not need others to say who we are or to approve of us, because God’s approval is all we need!
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