"The Innovative Marketplace Christian - Blog Hosted by Rick Hubbell"

Now before dismissing the idea that the Approval Syndrome we have discussed over the past few weeks is something that can’t possibly be affecting you - because you are one of the ones that ‘has-it-together’ in this area - hang on just a minute… Let’s at least explore the notion it could and hope that in fact, it does not!

The doorman into this little shop of horrors is none other than our arch enemy, fear. The Fear of Rejection, The Fear of Man and the Approval of Man are partners in this effort leading you down the road which leads away from God’s plan. The enemy wants to enslave you in any way he can. You know it. I know it.

The more of the plans for God’s people he can waylay with different forms of slavery, the less overall advance the Kingdom makes. If you are a believer desiring to fulfill God’s destiny for you in the marketplace and you are in any way susceptible to this strong influence, watch out.

The Underlying Cause: Fear

The approval of man and the fear of man work together closely. Remember I said that I preferred to evict the true culprit rather than grasp at shadows? The fundamental adversary here is actually fear.

Let me show you how.

The only way the approval of man grows into an issue in your life is when the ground has been prepared by fear.

Sometimes fear is not so obvious.

In the daily grind and swirl of our activities, how easy it is to become… preoccupied with causes and effects of what we think and do and the consequences of other peoples actions, feeling and remarks toward us.

From that point, we can become absorbed in life on this level, the causes and effects of human actions alone. Once this happens, if we are not careful, we start to prioritize managing the approval and expectations of others and before we know it, the fear of God, practically speaking, has been displaced.

Fear of man does not mean we are cowering before other people. It means we have prioritized reacting to what they say and do and the possible consequences of things we do, over hearing from God and letting our actions flow from Him. This is a deceptive form of fear.

That simple, understandable pattern slowly alters your priorities until the approval of man grows into a force to be reckoned with. Does that mean we are not praying, that we are not a good Christian who loves God or that we don’t honor the boss’s directions? No way. Fear is a deceptive, crafty challenger that doesn’t always show up in forms you expect.

Am I saying that people who appear to have everything well together in their walk with God, successful, godly business leaders, can actually be strongly affected by fear nonetheless? Absolutely.

The Approval Syndrome Attacks Your Destiny

When prioritized over the approval of God, the approval of man is also a faith limiting influence. When your faith is limited in any way by an outside force, your destiny is under attack. Once the approval syndrome finds a foothold, over-dependence on the approval of man leads you down a path you literally don’t want to go but head down it anyway.

People’s opinions, preferences and agendas along with the desire for their approval, constantly pull you off the plan of God. Your faith is comparatively restricted out there on that unpredictable rollercoaster. Even if you find the courage to stay on track despite the struggle, things are much harder than need be and that takes its toll over time.

Does this syndrome affect you at all? Think about this and answer the question. We’ll start talking about solutions next time!

Blessings to you, your family and upon your endeavors,

Rick for Ti-MC