From my reading in Galatians 1 in the One Year Bible New Testament.
We all have been tempted to live for the approval of others at some point.
Paul shared his personal philosophy with the Galatians on this issue.
“Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” Galatians 1:10
You can’t serve God genuinely and live the approval of others.
You have to choose who you are going to live for, God or others. If you are living to serve God then it doesn’t matter how many people think you are great.
For me in ministry I am tempted to do things so that people will think that what I am doing is significant.
Ultimately it doesn’t matter what people think, it matters what God thinks!
There will be times where you will tempted to do things that do not honor God in order to please people. You must have courage do say no when those times come.
Knowing who you are serving is the first step toward freedom in this area. Many leaders have a tendency to try and tell people what they want to hear but ultimately they end up twisting scripture to say what they want it to say instead of what it actually says. They end up dishonoring God in order to make a name for themselves.
When you are living for the approval of others you are really serving yourself.
You are using others in order to gain status for yourself. On the other hand, when you are serving Jesus your motive is God’s glory and the benefit of others.
My prayer is that I would not get caught in the trap of trying to win the approval of others, but I would serve Jesus and not worry what others think.
Whose approval are you living for? God’s or others?
If you like this article share it on Facebook, Twitter or subscribe by Email.
davidworcester.net 