In a world driven by social media, likes, and constant feedback, the desire for praise and affirmation from others can be hard to resist. Whether it’s seeking recognition at work, approval from friends, or validation from family, the temptation to crave human praise is real. However, as followers of Christ, we are called to live for the approval of God, not the applause of people. The Pharisees, during Jesus’ time, struggled with this very issue, preferring the praise of men over the praise of God.

The Pharisees: Loving the Praise of Men

In John 12:42-43, we read about some of the Pharisees who believed in Jesus but refused to openly confess their faith because they were afraid of what others might think. "For they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God." These Pharisees were more concerned with maintaining their status and reputation among people than with receiving God's approval.

Their desire for human praise prevented them from fully following Jesus, showing how powerful the lure of affirmation from others can be. When we prioritize the opinions of people over the approval of God, we miss out on the deeper joy and fulfillment that comes from living in alignment with God’s will. The Pharisees’ example is a reminder that the praise of people is fleeting, but God’s approval is eternal.

Seeking Approval from God Alone

One of the key ways to overcome the temptation to covet praise from others is to shift our focus toward seeking God’s approval above all else. Galatians 1:10 says, “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.”

Living for God’s approval means aligning our hearts with His will and finding satisfaction in knowing that we are pleasing Him, regardless of what others think. When we center our lives around God’s opinion, we free ourselves from the constant need for validation from others. This is not always easy, especially in a culture that celebrates public recognition, but it is essential for spiritual maturity.

The challenge is to ask ourselves: Are we more concerned with what people think or with what God thinks? When our primary goal is to please God, we find true peace and freedom. Our identity is rooted in Christ, not in the fluctuating opinions of people around us.

Valuing God’s Opinion Above All

Jesus warns us in Matthew 6:1-4 to avoid doing good deeds just to be seen by others. He says, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” Jesus highlights the danger of seeking human recognition at the expense of God’s reward.

When we do things for the sake of being noticed or praised, we’ve already received our reward through the approval of others. But when we live for God’s glory and serve quietly without needing applause, we store up treasures in heaven. God’s opinion of us carries far more weight than any praise or affirmation we might receive from people. Living with this eternal perspective helps us to value God’s opinion above all else.

Practical Ways to Overcome Coveting Praise and Affirmation

1. Focus on Your Identity in Christ: Remind yourself that your worth and value come from your relationship with God, not from the opinions of others. Meditate on scriptures that affirm who you are in Christ.

2. Seek to Please God in Secret: Practice serving and giving in ways that don’t draw attention to yourself. Look for opportunities to honor God privately, knowing that He sees and rewards what is done in secret.

3. Pray for Humility: Ask God to help you let go of the need for human praise and to give you a heart that desires to please Him above all. Humility comes from recognizing that all good things come from God and that His opinion is what matters most.

4. Be Honest About Your Motives: When you’re tempted to seek recognition, pause and ask yourself why. Are you doing something to glorify God, or are you looking for personal validation? Adjust your motives accordingly.

5. Celebrate Others Quietly: When you feel the need to be praised, shift your focus by celebrating the success of others. Encourage them and rejoice in their achievements without needing recognition for yourself.

Conclusion

The Pharisees’ love for the praise of men over the praise of God serves as a warning to us all. When we covet the affirmation of others, we lose sight of what truly matters—God’s approval. But when we learn to seek God’s praise alone, we experience a deeper sense of peace and purpose that can never be found in human applause.

Living for an audience of one means focusing on what pleases God, even when no one else is watching. It means valuing His opinion above all and trusting that His reward is far greater than any fleeting recognition we could receive from others. Let us make it our goal to live for God’s glory, seeking His approval and resting in the knowledge that He sees, knows, and rewards those who honor Him.

May we be content to live in the quiet confidence that comes from pleasing our Heavenly Father, knowing that His praise is all we need.