The Weapon Of Approval

Day 1- POPULARITY

Is it tempting to follow culture instead of God because you want to be successful, popular, or famous? It is a natural feeling to want to feel worthy and liked. Seek popularity from Him, and He will give you worth whether people approve or not.
Read Colossians 3:23. Whose approval should you seek?
Read Romans 11:36 and James 1:17. According to this verse, if someone has something or is good at something, who is the reason why?
Remember that God can also use earthly popularity for His purposes.
Read 1 Corinthians 10:31. Do you think giving God the glory in public takes guts?
How can popularity be used for God?

Day 2- POPULARITY DOES NOT EQUAL SUCCESS

God’s idea of popularity and success is very different than the world’s idea of it. You might be the best basketball player to ever live, but God doesn’t value your trophies and medals. He values how you live your life for Him while you are on the team. You could be the most beautiful person in the world on the cover of magazines, but God only values what you look like on the inside.
Read Proverbs 31:30. What is more important to God? Do looks come and go?
Do you believe this is true?
Read Psalm 1:1-3. What is successful in God’s eyes?
Read Luke 9:24-25. If you gain the entire world, what do you give up?

Day 3- POPULARITY DOESN’T LAST

Many people throw their confidence in God to the curb when they have a chance to be embraced and loved by the world. God tells us that He is the only thing that lasts.
Read 1 John 2:15-17.
Try to write down the last five people who won the Heisman Trophy without asking anyone or looking it up. Can you do it?
Will you wear the same clothes that are popular now in 10 years?
What was the most popular sport of the 1700’s? Do you know it?  Which one of these questions did you know the answer to without help?
Name five people who have challenged you to live more like Jesus.

Day 4- POPULARITY CAN’T BE FOR EVERYONE

Read Colossians 2:8
How are the world’s promises of success and fame deceitful if you do certain things?
Read 1 John 3:1
Who are you to God? While the world is busy promising false hope in success, fame, and popularity, God is promising and actually giving significance to every single human. You have a .00008% chance of being significant to the world. You have a 100% chance of being significant to God.

Day 5- POPULARITY WILL NEVER BE ENOUGH

If you start down the path of the world, you need to know that what you do will never be enough. There will always be someone more successful. There will always be something else you want. At the moment you think you have it all, culture will change. If your pursuit is the world, then you have no choice but to change with it or lose success. The pursuit of the world might look appealing, but you should know it’s exhausting.
Read 2 Corinthians 12:9.
What does God give that is “sufficient” or enough?
What else does God give you?