The Apostle, Paul, asks a probing question in Galatians. One relevant to our day and age that requires serious consideration and an honest answer. “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10). It is a simple and relatively straightforward question; however, finding the balance between pleasing man and God can be challenging.
The Bible never gives us permission to be a rogue captain of our soul and destiny, never accepting the advice, challenge, or wisdom of others. The writing found in Proverbs 11:14 clearly states, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” Counsel and guidance are essential to friendship, citizenship, and especially growth as a disciple of Jesus. The Bible often points its readers to the benefit of wise counsel from others. Yet, man is not the starting point, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). A foolish life is a closed-off life, an isolated experience without community and wisdom. It is lived without instruction, knowledge, advice, and counsel. When people live this way, they are in danger of not developing essential life skills such as discernment, discretion, discipline, and learning.
The starting point for gaining the treasures mentioned above begins with the fear of God, not the fear of man. We can gain insight and wisdom from our friends, spouses, co-workers, and mentors. But if they are the starting point, then we are in danger of seeking their approval before the approval of God. Paul’s words cut to the heart of the struggle that many face regarding fear and anxiety, which plagues our culture today. Too often, you and I fear what man has to say about us, rather than what God has to say. We allow a person to dominate our thought patterns and inform our decisions more than the God of the universe. This pattern of living will drain the life out of you. It will lead you on a path of trying to please everyone you come into contact with, leading to heartache and disappointment. In this post, we will examine two biblical principles that I pray will help you seek to follow Jesus and not man.
Everyone does not have to think and act like you, and you don’t have to think and act like everyone else.
As we grow and mature, we gain the ability to comprehend complex thoughts, which helps us develop our worldview. A worldview is simply the way we understand the larger world around us. Our worldview will shape and determine what we love, what we hold dear, and what we believe is essential. Paul writes the following to the church in Philippians 2:5, “Have this mind in yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” As believers, we can approach life with the mind of Christ. This way of thinking is a gift bestowed by God the Father, lived in the power of the Holy Spirit, serving as a beacon to navigate this complex world. Yet, often we are in danger of developing patterns of thought that are formed and influenced more by people’s opinions than by the word of God.
We all have blind spots. The blind spots can be found anywhere in our lives, ranging from our parenting, job skills, and even our theology. As a believer, we overcome these blind spots by understanding and applying biblical wisdom to our life. I did not have my Bible as I worked on this post, so I used my wife’s instead. In the margin, she had written, “If you are going to be wise, you have to be biblical.” You and I are not called to challenge everyone to think as we do. The truth is some people may not think like you and me, and still love Jesus. You don’t have to think like others, and others don’t have to think like you, but we all have to think biblically. How does this play out? Look at Philippians 2:5 again, “Have this mind in yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” The passage continues in verse 6, “who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” You and I can learn a lot here. I tend to want people to think and act like me because I think I am something.
Many times, I begin a conversation with a posture of, “I am correct, and now I am going to convince you of my correctness.” Essentially, I think I am something, and you need to be something. Therefore, I will help you see your faults and come to a correct way of thinking and behavior. Yet, look at the example of Jesus. He took on flesh, became a servant, and considered himself nothing so that He could give us everything. Often, we struggle with the fear of man because we have the wrong worldview. We see the opinions of others as the end goal when the one who matters is Jesus. When you can let go of controlling others and stop allowing the opinions of others to control you, then you can serve like Jesus, live Jesus, and find the peace He offers. However, if you try to control everyone around you, or if you allow the thoughts and opinions of others to drive your life, then you are at risk of living a life of panic, anxiety, and fear. You and I are not the final say in the lives of others; this task belongs to God alone.
People are to be conformed to the pattern of Jesus, not the way we think is best.
When we believe the opinion of others more than what God says about us, then we are in danger of giving in to the fear of man. As a believer, I am commanded to be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ. God’s calling on my life is that of a pastor, and I am not the best pastor. Many pastors are better leaders, teachers, and theologians than me. Yet, I am not to be conformed to the image of those men, no matter how great they are. They are not the end goal. Paul gives us a view of the finish line in Romans 8:29, “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of the Son.” This truth is so freeing!
The lives of others can serve as motivation, encouragement, and example, but they are not the pattern that I am to be shaped and molded into. We experience anxiety, guilt, and heartache when we are held hostage by what we believe others think about us or when we try to conform others to what we believe is best for them. Whether it is “mom guilt,” the mindless scrolling of social media, or comparing ourselves to countless others, these influences should not serve as the pattern for our lives. Your identity is in Christ. He is the one who died for you, and He is the one who loves you more than anyone. Through the love of Christ and His victory over the grave, you are free from the unbiblical patterns of this world. So, as believers, let’s stop trying to make everyone think and act like us and help people grow in the likeness of Jesus. If you are tempted to allow the opinions of others to shape your life rather than the Gospel of Christ, I encourage you to have the determination to seek the approval of God. Why? Because the load man places on people is often burdensome, but the load Jesus carries is light. And we all can learn from Him.