Whose Approval Do You Seek?

Daily Devotional – Tuesday, August 26, 2025
For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
Galatians 1:10 (NKJV)

In today’s key text, Paul responds to those who claim that his insistence on salvation by God’s grace was just a convenient way to make the gospel attractive. The apostle asserts that he is not after popularity or making people comfortable. Serving Christ matters far more than earning human approval.

If I Still Pleased People

It is challenging to please people and God at the same time. Living to win approval from others often means watering down truth, hiding conviction, or chasing after acceptance that never really satisfies. Being Christ’s servant means living with a different audience in mind, and that is not the applause of the crowd.

We all feel the pull to please others, whether it’s family, friends, coworkers, or even strangers online. However, when pleasing people becomes the driving force of our decisions, we risk losing sight of who we truly serve. Paul reminds us that true freedom comes when we stop performing for people and start living for Christ. His love is unchanging, and His truth is worth standing for, even when it is unpopular.

Who Are You Trying to Please?

To be Christ’s servant means letting His voice be louder than the voices around us. It means choosing faithfulness over popularity and truth over comfort. At the end of the day, only His approval lasts. Which aspect of your life requires you to prioritize Christ’s approval over concerns about others’ opinions?

Prayer
Lord Jesus, give me the courage to live for You instead of chasing people’s approval. Help me find joy in serving You, even when it costs me comfort or popularity. Keep my heart anchored in Your truth.