What does "immediately confer with flesh and blood" teach about seeking human approval? Setting the Scene Paul recounts his dramatic conversion and call: “to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood” (Galatians 1:16). What Paul Chose Not to Do • Seek human validation before obeying • Allow human opinion to shape his next step • Treat fellow mortals as gatekeepers of God’s commission • Delay obedience until he gathered endorsements What the Phrase Teaches About Human Approval • Divine revelation carries its own authority; it needs no earthly co-signers • Quick, decisive obedience is often impossible when we wait for consensus • The drive for approval can eclipse the fear of God (Proverbs 29:25) • Authentic ministry is rooted in pleasing God, not people (1 Thessalonians 2:4) • Our confidence rests in who sent us, not in who applauds us Scriptural Echoes • John 5:44 – “How can you believe if you accept glory from one another…?” • Acts 5:29 – “We must obey God rather than men.” • Jeremiah 17:5 – “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength.” • 2 Timothy 2:15 – Be “approved to God,” not to the crowd Balanced Perspective • Galatians 1:18 shows Paul visiting Peter three years later; fellowship matters, but only after the call is settled • Wise counsel is valuable (Proverbs 15:22), yet never replaces the clear voice of Scripture • Community confirms; it does not confer authority Practical Takeaways for Today • Test every conviction against Scripture, not opinion polls • Act promptly when God’s Word is clear; hesitation invites compromise • Expect tension with culture; faithfulness often defies popularity • Let God’s “Well done” loom larger than any human applause • Stand confidently: the gospel is God’s message, entrusted to you, and that is approval enough |
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