What other scriptures emphasize the importance of seeking God's approval over man's? In the Words of Jesus: John 5:44 “How can you believe if you accept glory from one another, yet do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” The Issue at the Core Jesus exposes a heart-level choice: pursue applause from people or the honor that only God can give. Scripture returns to this theme again and again. Echoes from the Old Testament • Proverbs 29:25 — “The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.” • Psalm 118:8-9 — “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man… than to trust in princes.” • Isaiah 2:22 — “Stop regarding man, whose breath is in his nostrils; for of what account is he?” • 1 Samuel 15:24 — Saul admits, “I was afraid of the people, so I obeyed their voice,” a sobering picture of what happens when human opinion outranks God’s command. Teachings of Jesus that Reinforce the Principle • Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 — Give, pray, and fast “in secret,” and “your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” • Matthew 10:28-33 — Fear God, not men; confess Christ before people and He will confess you before the Father. • John 12:42-43 — Some leaders believed yet stayed silent, “for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.” The Early Church in Action • Acts 5:29 — Peter and the apostles: “We must obey God rather than men.” Pressure from authorities never overrides obedience to the Lord. Paul’s Crystal-Clear Counsel • Galatians 1:10 — “Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? … If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” • Colossians 3:23-24 — “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men… It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” • 1 Thessalonians 2:4 — “We speak as those approved by God… not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts.” • 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 — “So we make it our goal to please Him… For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” Additional New-Testament Reinforcements • James 4:4 — Friendship with the world makes a person “an enemy of God.” • Romans 12:1-2 — Refuse conformity to the world; be transformed so you may “prove what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” • Revelation 2-3 — Seven churches evaluated by Christ; His verdict alone determines reward. Why It Matters for Us Today • People’s opinions shift; God’s assessment is eternal. • Human applause can be loud yet fleeting; divine commendation lasts forever. • Choosing God’s approval safeguards from compromise, fear, and hypocrisy. Walking It Out • Start each day by consciously committing to live for the Lord’s “Well done.” • Measure motives: ask whether an action would change if no one noticed but God. • When criticism arises, weigh it against Scripture; if God is pleased, stand firm. • Cultivate secret disciplines (private prayer, hidden generosity) to train the heart away from spotlight addiction. • Encourage one another to value God’s verdict above all, reminding each other of the coming judgment seat of Christ. Scripture speaks with one voice: the applause of heaven outshines every earthly ovation. |
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