953) As a teacher of young teens, I’ve noticed that most of them want my approval and they seek it in different ways. Some come and show me how much they wrote in their journal each day, or they may tell me of some accomplishment with a hopeful look on their face. It’s easy for me to be too busy to give them the attention and praise they desire, and I have to remind myself of the importance of this. Even adults want others to approve of what they do, but when it leads us in a direction we know we shouldn’t go, then it becomes problematic.

In Acts 6:8-15, we see an example of someone who does not seek approval from those around him. Stephen served God wholeheartedly, and when there were those who did not approve of his words and actions, they couldn’t sway Stephen away from his devotion to God.

When we’re tempted to put the approval of people high on our priority list, we’re forgetting that our approval shouldn’t come from people but from God. After all, Jesus had the approval of many people who, one week later, became the very ones that put him to death.