Seek Man’s Approval
Humans are social beings. We were created with an innate desire to belong—to be accepted and praised by those around us. But this very nature can subtly lead us into sin. When we begin to crave human approval more than God's, we risk losing sight of what truly matters. We may even start compromising the godly values we are called to uphold.
To overcome the people-pleasing tendency within us, we must remember our true identity: we are children of God. Our worth isn’t determined by the opinions of others—not even those in positions of authority. As God's children, we are not rejected or overlooked; we are fully accepted by him. In fact, Scripture tells us that God delights in us—he is pleased with his people. Isn’t that a mind-blowing truth?
As you meditate on the verses below, may they free you from the trap of people-pleasing. Let go of the need for human praise, and root your identity in God alone. We belong to him—and his approval is the only one that truly counts.
False prophet are people-pleasers
Jeremiah 5:30-31
30“An astonishing and horrible thing has happened in the land. 31The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority; and my people love to have it so. What will you do in the end of it?
Isaiah 30:9-11
9For it is a rebellious people, lying children, children who will not hear the LORD’s law; 10who tell the seers, “Don’t see!” and the prophets, “Don’t prophesy to us right things. Tell us pleasant things. Prophesy deceits. 11Get out of the way. Turn away from the path. Cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.”
John 12:42-43
42Nevertheless, even many of the rulers believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they didn’t confess it, so that they wouldn’t be put out of the synagogue, 43for they loved men’s praise more than God’s praise.
Luke 6:26
26Woe, when men speak well of you, for their fathers did the same thing to the false prophets.
We are children of God
Psalm 139:13-14
13For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well.
Isaiah 43:1
1But now the LORD who created you, Jacob, and he who formed you, Israel, says: “Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name. You are mine.
John 1:12-13
12But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name: 13who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
1 John 3:1
1See how great a love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn’t know us, because it didn’t know him.
1 Peter 2:9-10
9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10In the past, you were not a people, but now are God’s people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
We are approved by God
Romans 8:1-2
1There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.
Ephesians 1:4-6
4Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without defect before him in love, 5having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire, 6to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he freely gave us favor in the Beloved.
Colossians 1:21-23
21You, being in past times alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil deeds, 22yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without defect and blameless before him, 23if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Good News which you heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, of which I, Paul, was made a servant.
God takes delight in us
Psalm 149:4
4For the LORD takes pleasure in his people. He crowns the humble with salvation.
Psalm 18:18-19
18They came on me in the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my support. 19He brought me out also into a large place. He delivered me, because he delighted in me.
Zephaniah 3:17
17The LORD, your God, is among you, a mighty one who will save. He will rejoice over you with joy. He will calm you in his love. He will rejoice over you with singing.
Isaiah 62:3-5
3You will also be a crown of beauty in the LORD’s hand, and a royal diadem in your God’s hand. 4You will not be called Forsaken any more, nor will your land be called Desolate any more; but you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD delights in you, and your land will be married. 5For as a young man marries a virgin, so your sons will marry you. As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you.
Exhortations
Galatians 1:10
10For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn’t be a servant of Christ.
1 Thessalonians 2:3-6
3For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deception. 4But even as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News, so we speak—not as pleasing men, but God, who tests our hearts. 5For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is witness), 6nor seeking glory from men (neither from you nor from others), when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ.
Matthew 22:15-16
15Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might entrap him in his talk. 16They sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and teach the way of God in truth, no matter whom you teach; for you aren’t partial to anyone.
Matthew 5:10-12
10Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 11“Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Colossians 3:22-24
22Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God. 23And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
Ephesians 6:5-7
5Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ, 6not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7with good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men,
Illustrations
Young David is forgoten by men but is after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 16:4-13)
Prayer
Dear Father God, you are enthroned on high, yet you are also our loving Father who declares us accepted and approved when we place our faith in Jesus. We ask that this truth would take deep root in our hearts and transform us as we meditate on the verses above.
When we’re tempted to compromise just to please others—or when we become addicted to human praise, chasing after the fleeting satisfaction it brings—awaken our spirits! Help us to stop, turn to you, and realign our hearts with your truth. It is so easy to fall into the trap of people-pleasing. Have mercy on us, and lead us out of it through your unwavering acceptance and love.
May we become like Paul, seeking only your approval and living to please you alone in all we do and say.
In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen!