“You Don’t Need Their Approval!”

Galatians 1:10, “…I’m NOT trying to win the approval of people, But of God….” (NLT)

A talented young musician studied under a famous violin teacher. Now it was time for his first recital. He performed magnificently and received numerous “Bravos!” Strangely enough, he seemed not to hear them, but kept glancing anxiously at the front row. It wasn’t until a white-haired man rose and nodded graciously, that the young violinist started to smile. His Master Had Praised His Work! He Received the ONLY Approval that Mattered!

Which reminds me of a quote I love that states: “I much prefer the sharpest criticism of a single intelligent man to the thoughtless approval of the masses.” (Johannes Kepler).

So I ask you today, Whose Approval Do YOU Seek after? Be honest now! Because it’s important for you to know how far you’re willing to go in order to win the praise, applause, acceptance, and approval of others! Here’s why, listen to what the Bible says: “Saul gave in and confessed, “I’ve sinned. I’ve trampled roughshod over God’s Word and your instructions. I Cared More About Pleasing the People. I Let Them Tell Me What To Do.” (1 Samuel 15:24 MSG). It’s vital for you to know how far you’d allow the opinions of others to influence you. Why? For one, so you’ll know just how far you need to go in God to get delivered! And two, you might want to avoid ending up like Saul! “…God has rejected you as king…God has…torn the kingdom from you…God was sorry he had ever made Saul king in the first place.” (1 Samuel 15:24-35 MSG). Which is why you have to be so very careful about needing, requesting and requiring the approval of people, because it will cost you all that God had for you! Are you really willing to pay such a high price?!

With that said, here’s another great quote that says: “I would rather have the whole world against me, but know that the Almighty God is with me, be called an apostate but know that I have the approval of the God of glory.” (Author Unknown). Let people think what they will and even say what they will, the only important words you need to pay attention to are what thus saith the Lord, concerning you! Don’t put the crowds applause and opinions over Christ’s approval!

Tehyi Hsieh sums it up like this: “Lean too much on the approval of people, and it becomes a bed of thorns.”

Now if the whole truth be told, far too many have altered their hairstyles, clothes, sermons, speech, mannerisms etc…just for the approval and applause of people! But let me tell you from experience, opinions aren’t as important as you think they are! The word “Opinion” Only Means ‘a View or Judgment Not Necessarily Based On Fact or Knowledge; A Matter of Opinion, Something Not Capable of Being Proven Either Way.’ And my personal favorite definition says it’s merely, ‘an Estimation of Quality or Worth.’ In other words, There Is Nothing Valid or Concrete About an Opinion, It’s a View or Estimation At Best! So why do we lose our minds over the opinions of people?! Their opinions are not proven facts! It’s nothing more than their personal estimation, and why would you allow someone’s faulty calculations to devalue your self-esteem, self-worth, and value? You have already been approved by the God of Glory, why are you concerned with their Guessing?

Listen: Never Devalue yourself by being attached to people who Underestimate your Worth!

The Apostle Paul got straight to the point on this, he says: “…we speak as messengers Approved By God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to Please God, Not People. He Alone examines the motives of our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:4 NLT). Saints, we give folks way too much credit, authority, and power to alter our destiny and disposition merely by their unsubstantiated opinions! But Bill Cosby gives us a great tip: “I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” That’s why Paul said, “I’m not trying to be a people pleaser…If I were…I would not be Christ’s servant.” In other words, I can’t please Him and you! And if I’ve got to choose between the two, You Lose! Think about it: A servant is focused on pleasing his Master Only, not the other servants! So stop wasting time, energy and life trying to win the approval of people that don’t even matter! You are supposed to use your gifts, talents, ministry, calling and skills for the Glory of God and the upbuilding of the Kingdom of God, not so you can be the person with the most ‘likes’, the biggest following, or consistent pats on the back! Servants don’t compete with other servants, they’re too focused on serving the Master! Make sure that’s your aim and goal as well! Listen, don’t attempt to out-sing, dance, preach, pray, teach, lead, anybody! That’s not what you’re here for! Ministry has nothing to do with competition, because  nobody wins when we lose sight of pleasing God!

“Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval.” (Thomas S. Monson).

And while we’re at it, Leaders, also keep in mind: If you lead right, they’ll follow right! Jesus said, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done…” (John 13:15 NIV). The Apostle Paul obviously heeded such advice, because he later says to those who follow him: “Pattern yourselves after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah).” (1 Corinthians 11:1 AMP). If you follow Jesus’ example, you won’t need pats on the back to confirm that you’ve led the people correctly! You won’t need trophies, awards, celebrations, banquets, Sunday morning announcements, or yet another title, position, ring, robe or elevation. Just listen for the voice of the Lord saying, “…Well done, you upright (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the blessedness) which your master enjoys.” (Matthew 25:21 AMP). Now that’s what I call applause, approval and validation! The only kind that carries any real weight!

Simply doing all God asks of you to do wins His approval, that’s what David did: The Bible says, “Later, God removed Saul and let David rule in his place. God said about him, “David the son of Jesse is the kind of person who pleases me most! He does everything I want him to do.” (Acts 13:22 CEV). Could it be possible that the reason you’re so desperate for the applause and approval of PEOPLE, is because you’re not getting any applause and approval from GOD?! And sadly, the only reason you’re not getting it, is simply because you’re not pleasing Him by doing “…everything He wants you to do”? Jesus said: “If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you…” (John 14:15-17 MSG). And what are some things He’s told you?

1. “Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house…” (Malachi 3:10 AMP).
2. “Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best.” (Proverbs 3:8-9 MSG).
3. “Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them?” (Hebrews 13:17 MSG).
4. “If anyone fails to provide for his relatives, and especially for those of his own family, he has disowned the faith [by failing to accompany it with fruits] and is worse than an unbeliever [who performs his obligation in these matters].” (1 Timothy 5:8 AMP).
5. “…roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear… Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.” (1 Peter 1:16 MSG).
6. “Moreover, it is [essentially] required of stewards that a man should be found faithful [proving himself worthy of trust].” (1 Corinthians 4:2 AMP).
7. “I WARN and counsel the elders among you (the pastors and spiritual guides of the church) as a fellow elder…Tend (nurture, guard, guide, and fold) the flock of God that is [your responsibility], not by coercion or constraint, but willingly; [belonging to the office], but eagerly and cheerfully; Not domineering [as arrogant, dictatorial, and overbearing persons] over those in your charge, but being examples (patterns and models of Christian living) to the flock (the congregation).” (1 Peter 5:1-3 AMP).
8. “…men…pray—not shaking angry fists at enemies but raising holy hands to God…women…get in there with the men in humility before God, not primping before a mirror or chasing the latest fashions but doing something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it.” (1 Timothy 2:8-10 MSG).
9. “In the presence of God and Christ Jesus and their chosen angels, I order you to follow my instructions! Be fair with everyone, and don’t have any favorites.” (1 Timothy 5:21 CEV).
10. “If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.] Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.” (Galatians 5:25-26 AMP).

Truthfully, I’m a little nervous to ask this, but saints, in just these ten Scriptures, can you honestly say “I’ve done all that the Lord has told me to?” As a matter of fact, don’t answer, just do better! Remember, we are to please the Master by doing what He’s told us to do, not please the other Servants by what they want us to do!

Tavis Smiley says, “Take your focus off how others see you. Cease being obsessed with the need to impress. Don’t allow the approval of others to obstruct your view of yourself.”

People of God, it’s time we stop comparing ourselves to other folks gifts, ministries, calling, purpose, and destiny. And dare we take it further? It’s even time we stop comparing our marriages, clothes, children, figures, jobs, cars, houses etc…It’s time we adopt the mindset of the Psalmist when he said, “Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before You, The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.” (Psalm 139:13-16 MSG). That Word is for more than just your natural make-up, but your spiritual one as well! Know this, whatever God has called you to do and be, it will be “Marvelous”…if you’ll just stick to being YOU! Once and for all, get over the opinions of others, and get past the approval of others! Too many of us are seeking standing ovations for our performance instead of simply walking in obedience and character.

Lastly, hear what the Bible says: “Many people did believe in Him…including some…Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.” (John 12:42-43 NLT). Do yourself, and others, a huge favor, and get it in your spirit: The Called don’t Compromise! And in reality, the same mouth that blessed you yesterday, will curse you tomorrow! So you’ve got to determine not to be moved by anything but the unction of the Holy Ghost! Not accolades, announcements or amen’s, but the Approval of the Only One that Matters…GOD! Don’t be like the Jewish leaders, when they could’ve grasped something great, they allowed it to simply slip through their fingers, and all because they got caught up in the opinions of others. They missed out on the presence of God because of the praise of the people! Don’t let it happen to you!

Hold On To Your Testimony: “…I’m not trying to win the approval of people, But Of God….” (Galatians 1:10 NLT).

Friends, You Don’t Need Their Approval!

“You don’t have to please others. Just do what God wants you to do, because at the end of the day, it is only He who can satisfy your heart. Not the approval or applause from other people.”

“Attempting to please ‘the world’ will only lead to frustration and disappointment. Instead, commit yourself to pleasing the Lord. Live for Him, and experience an unexplainable peace that only God can provide.”

“Let pleasing God become Bigger than pleasing people.”

“A spiritually mature woman will be the first to do what is right even if nobody else is doing so. We live for God and not for man. We live to please the Lord and not people.” (Joyce Meyer)

“It’s better to have God Approve, than the World Applaud.”

“It is the Quality of our work which will please God and not the Quantity.” (Mahatma Gandhi)

“I am who God wants me to be. Man’s approval is not requested, required, or relevant.”

“Decisions become easier when your will to please God outweighs your will to please the world.”

“If we live for people’s acceptance, we will die from their rejection.” (Lecrae) 

“Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner.” (Lao Tzu)

“You don’t need anyone’s approval to be good enough. When someone judges you, rejects you or abandons you, it isn’t about you. It is about them and their own insecurities. Your worth is not based on other people’s acceptance of you. You exist; therefore, you matter. Hold onto the truth that who you are, is exactly enough. Be confident in yourself.”

“Life is too short to waste time waiting for other people’s approval on how you live it.” (Dr. Steve Maraboli)

“Instead of questioning WHY someone doesn’t approve of you or your choices, ask yourself, ‘why do I need their approval in the first place?'” (Sonya Parker)

“I don’t need your approval darling, that’s for insecure people.”

“A truly strong person does not need the approval of others any more than a lion needs the approval of sheep.” (Vernon Howard)

“Not one drop of my self-worth depends on your acceptance of me.”

Much Love, Dr. Shermaine #EnjoyTheRead #BeInspired #BeEncouraged #BeEmpowered #BeChallenged #BeGreat
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