Galatians 1:10, “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 Jesus Christ.” ESV
How has your week gone? Anything made you angry? What made you discouraged? Have you been going through a trial of suffering? If so, take note of your emotions during times of anger, discouragement, suffering, and disappointment. Did you realize that all of this brings out the idols that are in our hearts?
Do you have the idol of performance, especially for significant others? You try to please a person rather than God. We fear more what others think rather than obeying God.
Another common idol is performance for self (perfectionism). We try to perform up to standards we have set. When we meet those self-projected standards, we feel good; when we don’t, we feel bad, because we follow our own list, which is higher than what God says. So, the new way of thinking biblically needs to emphasize contentment, self-control, humility, and honoring God through our actions and reactions. We should live out Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the LORD and not for men.” We need to seek God’s approval and not human praise. Our devotion should be to God above anyone else.
Now, taking this a step further, what new ways of acting in this area do we need to start? Oh, those words of affirmation from human lips- praise- don’t we all crave them, since they feed our ego? However, we don’t necessarily need words of affirmation or praise if we have God’s approval; if we do, we should be thankful. God is, after all, sufficient for all of our emotional needs. So, acting with a new way of thinking about the idol of self-performance is not chasing compliments. If God is pleased, then that is His plan of exalting us at the proper time, which is promised to us in 1 Peter 5:6-7: “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him because he cares for you.” It requires putting on humility, putting off pride, relying on God’s guidance rather than our own strength, and trusting in God’s love and sovereign plan for us.
Yes, recognition and awards are nice, but they are temporary. When we dwell on our mistakes and imperfections, we become despondent and start wanting to be somebody. What about wanting to be needed, appreciated, and recognized for our input? We worship people, hoping they will give us flattering words to serve our own self-glory. That is idolatry and calls for repentance. Proverbs 1:7 instructs: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Reverential fear of God gives lasting peace and confidence in God’s protection, unconditional love, and faithfulness. Can anyone else fulfill this in our/my life?
I have to ask myself, are you holding your treasure in – man’s praise or God’s and what new ways of thinking and new ways of acting can you begin to do biblically instead?
“If you simply uproot some idols and fail to “plant” the love of Christ in their place, those idols will grow back, and those idols will bring some others with them because your heart is still not delighting in and satisfied with Christ.” Brad Bigney. Change your thinking, change your actions, and ground yourself in Colossians 3:1-2 NIV: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
God knows what you are facing this morning. He knows how to fix the troubles you don’t know how to fix. Engage biblically in new ways of thinking and acting in the idols of your heart you have identified having. Remember, God is sufficient and His approval is eternally supreme.
Listen to Anne Wilson’s new song. – Who I Am To You (Official Music Video).