If we know what drives us to seek man’s approval, then we will be in a better position to protect ourselves from seeking it. Do you know what drives you to seek man’s approval!? In this devotional I will share two reasons that can lead us to seek others’ approval.
For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; 2 Corinthians 12:20
I believe, that when we enter into a relationship with someone our first response is not necessarily to gain their approval. However, we have a need that their approval fulfills that traps us into seeking it!
One of the main reasons that we may look for man’s approval is that we want something from them. If you are looking to gain something, you are putting yourself at man’s mercy. There is a lust for something that you have decided you want that it can only be accomplished through the others’ approval.
The Apostle Paul warns us in the above passage about selfish ambition that leads to other evil behavior. When one is operating in selfish ambition, sooner or later, it will trap the person into compromise. Any form of compromise is moving the person from God’s ways and will weaken their relationship with the Lord. Furthermore, the need for the person’s approval will eventually lead into anger and bitterness if the individual does not achieve his/her goals.
A man who flatters his neighbor Spreads a net for his feet. Proverbs 29:5
These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. Jude 1:16
The second reason that we seek people’s approval is that we enjoy being flattered. If we are hungry for significance, we may be open to any form of so-called complement. Sometimes the complements are genuine, but what is different about flattery is that it can be exaggerated and is self-serving on the part of the person giving it.
In truth, people are flaky and at some point, they will change their mind about how they feel about us. Once we latch on to someone’s flattery, we will want to continue to enjoy the feeling of being important and special. This traps one into seeking their continued acceptance, and it will also develop ungodly ties.
Similarly, we should also refrain from being impressed by people and flattering them. If we see people as perfect who can do no wrong, then we give them too much room in our lives that they were not meant to occupy. This also leads individuals to being trapped for the person’s approval.
Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man. John 2:23-25
Jesus knew man’s flakiness, as a result, He did not commit Himself to anyone! Eventually, those who were impressed by Him, turned against him. One week they sang Hosannah, Hosannah! The following week, they shouted crucify Him! His own disciple, Peter, who declared Jesus as the Christ, denied Him on the day He was arrested. If Jesus had committed Himself to man’s views, it would have compelled Him to seek their acceptance over God’s will, which, most likely, would have derailed Him from accomplishing God’s purpose of salvation for humanity.
The truth is that if/when we desire man’s acceptance, we are in the danger of allowing man’s voice to be more important than God’s voice. Please mediate on the above passages and find the areas in your life that drive you to seek man’s acceptance. Make an intentional decision not to seek their approval this year!
Image by Leopold Böttcher from Pixabay