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  SEEKING APPROVAL
  by A.W. Tozer
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Summary: A.W. Tozer's sermon emphasizes the necessity of seeking God's
approval over that of others for true spiritual freedom and growth.

Topics: "Approval Of God", "Freedom from People-Pleasing"
Scripture References: Proverbs 29:25, Matthew 6:1, John 12:43, Galatians 1:10, 2 Timothy 4:2

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DESCRIPTION
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A.W. Tozer emphasizes the futility of seeking human approval in the
Christian life, asserting that true spirituality requires a heart that
is solely devoted to God. He argues that a man after God's own heart
must disregard the opinions of both friends and foes, demonstrating
moral courage by standing firm in truth regardless of social status.
Tozer encourages believers to seek only the approval of Christ, which
leads to genuine freedom from the pressures of pleasing others. He
concludes with a prayer for strength to overcome the desire for human
validation and to find contentment in God's smile.

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CONTENT
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Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke,
exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. --2 Timothy 4:2

I cannot believe in the spirituality of any Christian man who keeps an
eye open for the approval of others, whoever they may be. The man after
God's own heart must be dead to the opinion of his friends as well as
his enemies. He must be as willing to cross important persons as obscure
ones. He must be ready to rebuke his superior as quickly as those who
may be beneath him on the ecclesiastical ladder. To reprove one man in
order to gain the favor of another is no evidence of moral courage. It
is done in the world all the time.

We'll never be where we should be in our spiritual lives until we are so
devoted to Christ that we ask no other approbation than His smile. When
we are wholly lost in Him the frantic effort to please men will come to
an end. The circle of persons we struggle to please will be narrowed to
One. Then we will know true freedom, but not a moment before. The Price
of Neglect, 141.

"Lord, does anyone ever really get over the desire to seek the approval
of others? That is a battle for which we are totally dependent on You
for victory. Help me today to be content with only the smile of Your
approval. Amen."

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/aw-tozer/seeking-approval/
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