As I grow closer to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I’m finding it harder to do what is socially requested of me. As I study the Word of God, I find over and over so many ways that this world has diverged from what He has said. God has provided careful instruction on how to live through His written Word, how we are to treat each other, and to worship Him, and only Him. In the Bible, there are countless examples of people living for themselves and turning their backs on God, again, and again, and again.
It almost seems like this world is upside down, deliberately moving opposite to what God says. The majority of people agree on things that are wrong in the Word and are declaring it to be correct. It reminds me of what is said in 2nd Timothy 3:1-5, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” My heart weighs heavy as I feel His sadness and sorrow on the decisions being made every day. God was right to say to avoid such people. The influence from the unsaved in a fallen world is dangerous and goes against everything God desires.
As a Christian, I must choose daily, sometimes minute by minute, who I will obey and serve. I have a thousand reasons to satisfy my flesh and the earthly desires which are too common in this day and age. Everyone would understand and agree with my decisions if I were to just to give in and follow their twisted and corrupted examples.
God has called believers to be salt and light, to have pure hearts and seek Him alone. It is His approval we must yearn for, and not from our fellow man. Over and over in the Bible, He reminds us of who we are to please…
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10
“But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.” 1 Thessalonians 2:4
He goes on to explain in Jeremiah 17:5 the consequences of appeasing people, Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord”. I know one thing and I never want a curse from God – especially from a poor decision.
Seeking approval from other people is really counterproductive. We have all been created by the careful hands of God, formed from the dust and filled with His breath – an act of creation designed to create beings that could fellowship directly with God. However, due to a prideful decision in Eden, we thought we knew better than God, and believed a lie that has cast us into a world of sin and separated us from God. Romans 3:23 explains this point well, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Psalm 146:3-4 warns of misplaced hope, “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.” Isaiah 2:22 has a similar message, “Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?”
Listening and following the advice of people is like the blind leading the blind. Sure, there are some things that we have learned together how to do, that appear to help us navigate the world. Many of these seem to be good & right, but our beliefs of what is true and acceptable is varied, and inherently flawed due to our separation from God. The only truth in this world is from God and will never change, regardless of popular trends and viewpoints.
A wonderful reminder to stay heavenly focused is found in 1 John 2:15-17, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” Colossians 3:1-3 continues with directions on what to seek, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Finally, Psalm 118:8 sums it up well, “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.”
Today I ask who you are putting your trust in; who are you trying to please? Are you seeking the approval from your fellow man, or from the creator of everything? Are you being influenced by the latest fad, trend, belief or opinion? Or, are you putting your faith in the never changing truth found in the Word of God?
Beautiful words and thoughts and truths!!!
I love and admire many brothers and sisters in Christ, but ultimately, My Savior’s approval is the only one that has power to save and redeem me. 🤍🤍