Scripture: Galatians 1:10
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings or God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Introduction:
As believers in Jesus Christ, we must remember to live our lives for God and not for the approval of other people. It is natural for us to want to be liked and accepted by those around us, but the truth is that our ultimate purpose is to please God and follow his will for our lives.
In this lesson, we will look at the importance of living for God and not for human approval, and we will consider how we can keep our focus on pleasing God rather than seeking the approval of others.
Lesson:
- The temptation to seek human approval.
It is natural for us to want to be liked and accepted by those around us, and it can be tempting to try to win the approval of others by doing things that we think will make them happy. However, this can lead us away from God and his will for our lives.
- The dangers of living for human approval.
When we live for human approval, we can easily become enslaved to the opinions and expectations of others. We may find ourselves compromising our values and beliefs to fit in or be accepted. This can lead to resentment, frustration, and even a loss of identity.
- The importance of living for God.
On the other hand, when we live for God, we are free to be who he has created us to be and to do what he has called us to do. This can bring a sense of purpose, fulfillment, and joy to our lives.
- How to focus on pleasing God.
So, how can we keep our focus on pleasing God rather than seeking the approval of others? Here are a few practical steps we can take:
- Spend time in prayer and Bible study: By regularly spending time in prayer and reading the Bible, we can draw closer to God and better understand his will for our lives.
- Seek accountability: It can be helpful to have accountability partners who can encourage us and help us stay on track in our walk with God.
- Remember that our ultimate reward is from God: When we focus on pleasing God, we can find comfort in knowing that our ultimate reward is from him and not from the approval of others.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, we must remember to live for God and not for human approval. This can be challenging at times, but by spending time in prayer and Bible study, seeking accountability, and remembering that our ultimate reward is from God, we can keep our focus on pleasing him rather than seeking the approval of others.