Chasing Carrots: Approval

CHASING CARROTS – 4

APPROVAL

“Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.” Proverbs 29:25, NLT

“Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God.  If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.”  Galatians 1:10, NLT

Symptoms That I Struggle with “Pleasing Others”

• Care too much what others think
• Overly sensitive to criticism
• Have a difficult time saying “No”
• Go to great lengths to win the approval of others

Solution to Our Struggle of “Pleasing Others”

We need to” Know” some things and then “Do” some things . . . 

Know 2 Things:

1. People pleasing is a form of idolatry

“Nevertheless, many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.”  John 12:42-43, NASB

2. All that really matters is the approval of God

“Therefore also we have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him (the Lord).”  2 Corinthians 5:8, NASB

“For 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. . . . As for human praise, we have never sought it from you or anyone else.”  1 Thessalonians 2:4, 6, NLT

Do 2 Things:

1. Replace the lies of the evil one with the truth of God’s Word

Consider several things God says about you:

• YOU ARE GOD’S MASTERPIECE – EPHESIANS 2:10
• YOU ARE A JOINT HEIR WITH CHRIST – ROMANS 8:17
• YOU ARE ADOPTED AS A CHILD OF GOD – GALATIANS 4:5
• YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD – JOHN 1:12
• YOU POSSESS THE SAME SPIRIT/POWER IN YOUR LIFE THAT RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD – ROMANS 8:11
• YOU ARE CHRIST’S AMBASSADOR – 2 CORINTHIANS 5:20
• YOU ARE MORE THAN A CONQUEROR THROUGH CHRIST – ROMANS 8:37
• YOU ARE GREATLY LOVED BY GOD – ROMANS 1:7 AND 8:35-39
• YOU ARE A NEW CREATION IN CHRIST – 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17
• YOU ARE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN CHRIST – 2 CORINTHIANS 5:21
• YOU ARE FORGIVEN AND YOUR SINS ARE WASHED AWAY – NO GUILT OR CONDEMNATION – EPHESIANS 1:7; ROMANS 8:1

2. Seek to affirm others