The concept of approval is conveyed across various verses that elucidate the importance of seeking and receiving approval in diverse aspects of life. It is worth noting that approval, in the Biblical sense, is not simply about seeking affirmation or validation from others but, more importantly, striving to live according to God’s will.
What Is Approval in the Bible?
Approval in the Biblical context is fundamentally about satisfying the divine standards set by God himself. The Bible explains that our actions, decisions, and underlying motives should align with the moral and ethical principles decreed by God if we are to merit approval. It further emphasizes that living a life pleasing to God, acting out of love and kindness, being just and fair, and having integrity, are among the qualities that gain God’s approval.
Who Should One Seek Approval From?
According to the Bible, one should primarily seek approval from God, not from fellow humans. This principle is expressed in various verses suggesting that approval from God is far superior to the applause of men, and it is this divine approval that brings genuine fulfillment and peace. In fact, the Bible urges individuals to eschew vanity and societal pressure and to focus on achieving righteousness in God’s eyes. This, it suggests, is the pathway to true wisdom, good deeds, and favorable outcomes.
Why is Seeking Approval Important?
The significant emphasis on approval in the Bible underscores its critical nature in spiritual development. The Bible teaches us that pleasing God and meeting His expectations form an essential part of our spiritual journey. Seeking approval, therefore, signifies our aspiration to align with God’s will and to lead a life that mirrors his love and compassion. This pursuit of approval transforms us, cultivates love and humility within us, and guides us towards spiritual enlightenment, virtue, and wisdom.
Where Can Guidance for Approval Be Found?
The Bible serves as the primary guide for understanding and achieving approval. It presents detailed explanations of the principles, commandments, and standards set by God for His followers. Incorporating these teachings into our daily life builds our character and moral fiber, enhances our understanding of the divine will, and bridges the gap between our desires and the expectations that God has for us. Through its verses, the Bible encourages followers to lead a purposeful life aimed at honouring God’s will, winning His heart, and earning His approval.
In essence, approval, as depicted in the Bible, urges us to go beyond the surface-level, fleeting validation of humans and aim for spiritual growth and true fulfilment. It echoes the divine expectation for us to seek and meet high standards of integrity, love, fairness, and righteousness. It acts as a beacon, guiding humanity on the road to virtue, wisdom, and spiritual enlightenment. While it is enriching, it is also challenging, requiring us to sacrifice our selfish desires and lead a life focused on honoring God’s will above all else. It is this pursuit of divine approval, the Bible intimates, that forms the cornerstone of a virtuous and purposeful life.
Below is the full list of bible verses on approval (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Approval
Galatians 1:10
“10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”
Related Themes: Pleasing God Peer Pressure Dating Manipulation Opinions
Psalm 118:6-9
“6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?7 The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.”
Related Themes: Fear Strength Nervousness
John 12:43
“43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”
Related Themes: Pleasing God Music Opinions Fame
1 Thessalonians 2:4
“4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.”
Related Themes: Pleasing God Motives Heart
2 Timothy 2:15
“15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Education Learning Morals Morality
Matthew 6:33
“33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Colossians 3:23-24
“23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
Related Themes: Creativity Business Attitude Laziness Money
Isaiah 49:4
“4 Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God.”
Related Themes: Vanity
2 Corinthians 10:18
“18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.”
Related Themes: Pride
Matthew 6:1
“1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.”
Romans 14:18
“18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.”
Proverbs 29:25
“25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.”
Related Themes: Fear Omnipotence Reputation Pleasing God Omnipresence
Proverbs 25:27
“27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.”
Related Themes: Pride Food Moderation Overeating Gluttony
John 6:27
“27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.”
Related Themes: Food Life Labor Work Setting Goals
1 John 2:15
“15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
Related Themes: Lust Pride Money Social Justice
2 Corinthians 5:9
“9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.”
Related Themes: Pleasing God Reaping Reaping What You Sow Pleasing God Setting Goals
Acts 5:29
“29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
Related Themes: Respecting Your Parents Obedience Morality Pleasing God Politics
Romans 12:1
“1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
James 4:4
“4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
Related Themes: Lust Dating Social Justice Adultery Morality
Matthew 5:11-12
“11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
Related Themes: Gossip Bullying Persecution False Accusations Persecution
Proverbs 8:34-36
“34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.”
Related Themes: Doors
Matthew 6:2-4
“2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Humility Hypocrisy Life Reaping
Romans 12:2
“2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Related Themes: Complaining Lust Creativity Attitude Business
Matthew 6:14-15
“14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Bitterness Forgiveness
Luke 6:22-23
“22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.”
Related Themes: Persecution Rejection Excommunication Joy
Matthew 6:5-6
“5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”
Related Themes: Prayer Hypocrisy Omnipotence
Acts 4:19-20
“19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
Related Themes: Pleasing God
Proverbs 21:3
“3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.”
Related Themes: Justice Sacrifice Integrity Pleasing God Righteousness
Matthew 6:16-18
“16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.”
Romans 14:17-18
“17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.”
Related Themes: Joy Attitude Reputation Pleasing God Peace
