Addicted to Approval

Scripture

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10

Additional Scripture References

• “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1
• “For we are God’s masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10
• “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14

Main Idea

Approval in it of itself isn’t bad. If we are all honest with ourselves, we all long to be seen, loved, approved and accepted. The issue comes when we tie our identity to people’s praise and applause. This type of approval quickly enslaves us. Insecurity leads us to crave approval, imitate others, and forget who God has truly called and created us to be. The challenge this week is simple: will we keep living for people’s approval, or will we live for God’s assignment?

Insecurity Seeks Applause but Starves Identity

Scripture

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? … If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10

Overview

Chasing approval feels like fuel, but in reality burns out really quickly. The truth is, every compliment fades away and leaves us wanting more, every “like” disappears in the sea of social media, and the craving for approval? Well... it only grows. Living for people’s approval doesn’t strengthen your identity, it actually starves it.

When you live for their approval, you’ll die by their rejection.

Deeper Dive

Paul’s words in Galatians draw a clear line in the sand: you can’t serve Christ and live for the applause of man at the same time. Approval becomes dangerous because it shifts your foundation, your perspective and your desires. Instead of being grounded in His truth, your worth is tied to their applause. Your worth begins to rise and fall with people’s reactions. Not only is that an exhausting way to live, it’s enslaving.

In 1 John 3:1, John reminds us something beautiful. God has already called us His children. That identity is fixed. No crowd, applause or praise can add to it and no rejection can take it away. Heres the catch though: until we actually believe this, we’ll keep scrambling for human approval. We will try to fit in with the crowd, compromise, and perform, hoping that one day their "applause" will tell us we’re enough.

Question

Where do you notice yourself craving people’s approval the most—on social media, at work, in friendships, or even at church?

Insecurity Imitates Others Instead of Embracing You

Scripture

“I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 1 Samuel 17:39

Overview

The interesting thing when it comes to insecurity is that it doesn’t just crave applause, it reshapes you to get it. You change everything about yourself, your voice, your gifts, your style, all in hopes of fitting in. But borrowed identity never works.

Identity doesn’t work when it’s borrowed. Comparison is the theft of your calling.

Deeper Dive

David’s refusal to wear Saul’s armor is more than detail in the more impressive "DAVID AND GOLIATH" story, it’s an incredibly valuable lesson. Saul’s armor looked protective, Saul's armor looked impressive, but it wasn’t made for David. In the same way, when we try to wear someone else’s “armor” (their personality, calling, or gifts), we lose the very thing that makes us effective: who God created us to be.

Comparison is sneaky. It tells you that if you were just like them, you’d finally feel secure. But Ephesians 2:10 reminds us we’re God’s masterpiece—custom-built with purpose. When you copy someone else, you’re not just rejecting your uniqueness—you’re rejecting God’s design. Confidence will never come from a costume.

Question

What are some ways you’ve been tempted to “wear someone else’s armor” instead of embracing who God made you to be?

Will I Live for Their Approval or for God’s Assignment?

Scripture

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14

Overview

At the end of the day, like most things, it comes down to a choice. Whose approval matters most in your life? The crowd’s or God’s? Approval may win you attention, but only God’s assignment will give you purpose.

You’ll never slay your giants wearing someone else’s armor.

Deeper Dive

What is amazing about the story of David and Goliath is that David faced Goliath with what looked like weakness: a sling and five stones. But what gave him victory wasn’t Saul’s armor or man’s approval, it was God’s Spirit and assignment. Insecurity will always try to convince you that your uniqueness is a liability, but when aligned with God, it can actually be one of your greatest assets.

Psalm 139 reminds us you are not mass-produced. You’re hand-crafted by God. If that’s true (which it is), and if we believe it, then living for people’s approval is not just unnecessary... it’s insulting to the One who made you. When you choose assignment over applause, you step into a freedom that no mans praise, applause or cheering can never give.

Question

What would look different in your life if you fully lived for God’s assignment instead of chasing approval?

Summary

Insecurity feeds on applause but kills identity. It drives us to imitate others instead of embracing who we are truly called to be in Christ, and it keeps us stuck in performance mode. But God has already given us His approval and has welcomed us into His family. The question is whether we’ll live in it.

Call to Action

This week, ask yourself: “Whose voice is shaping my identity?” Once you answer this question: practice turning down the noise of people’s opinions and turning up the voice of God. Speak truth over yourself daily:

• I am not who others say I am. I am who God says I am.
• I will not perform for approval. I will live from identity.
• I choose assignment over approval.

Walk it out. Live as if you’ve already been approved by the only One who matters.

Prayer Prompts

• Thank God for calling you His child and lavishing His love on you.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where you’re living for approval instead of identity.
• Pray for courage to step out of comparison and into your God-given uniqueness.
• Declare God’s truth over yourself and your group: “We are fearfully and wonderfully made.”