Breaking Free from the Snare of Approval Addiction: A Call to Return to God’s Heart

“We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts."

1 Thessalonians 2:4

In this hour, God is sounding the alarm, calling us to wake up to a subtle but destructive stronghold that is plaguing many in the body of Christ: the addiction to approval. By recognizing this, we can take the first step towards breaking free from its grip. Approval addiction centers around an obsessive desire to be wanted and validated by people rather than God. Once entrenched in this mindset, we start to lose sight of who we are in Christ. 

At its core, people-pleasing is a form of idolatry. When we prioritize human approval over God's heart, we allow our identity to be shaped by shifting opinions instead of the unshakable truth of who we are in Christ.

Proverbs 29:25 says, "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." 

The "snare" here refers to the subtle, often unnoticed traps that entangle us, keeping us from walking freely in the life God has called us to live. These traps often show up in the form of temptations, approval-seeking, unhealthy attachments, or the pursuit of material success—things that seem harmless at first but slowly ensnare our hearts. Another subtle trap is the desire for control—trying to manage every detail of our lives instead of trusting God’s plan. This need for control can pull us away from fully surrendering to God's will, leading to anxiety and frustration when things don’t go as expected.

Over time, these traps can gradually distance us from relying on God's guidance and provision, leaving us spiritually stuck. These snares often creep in, making us forget the freedom that comes from living for an audience of One. Even relationships and careers can become a snare if they pull us away from intimacy with Christ. 

God is calling us back to being the most real, honest, and true versions of ourselves—not the version that fits into others' expectations. When we embrace who King Jesus made us to be, we begin to live freely, unburdened by the weight of approval-seeking.

It’s easy to get trapped and feel like you can’t move forward because of what others think of you. Oftentimes it arises from a fear of rejection or an unhealthy love for validation. Our culture is obsessed and consumed with the the opinions of others and it’s downright crippling. But God’s Word reminds us that He is our Deliverer. He sees the snares and, when we call on Jesus, He pulls us out. These traps are designed to crush our faith and weigh us down, but through God’s truth and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can rise above them. We can walk in the freedom that comes from living fully and authentically for Jesus.

The Lord Jesus is also calling our attention to another snare. The apostle Paul warns us in 1 Timothy 6:9 about the dangers of pursuing wealth above all else. He writes, "Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction." Paul's message is still relevant today. When we make wealth, success, or the approval of others our main focus, we risk falling into spiritual traps that slowly erode our joy, faith, and authenticity. More than that, these pursuits can separate us from the purity of our relationship with King Jesus, clouding our hearts with worldly desires and distracting us from His presence, which is where true fulfillment is found.

The good news? God is calling us back to who we really are. He’s inviting us to let go of the need for approval and live in the freedom of being fully ourselves in Him. When we do that, we’re no longer bound by the shifting standards of the world, but we stand firm in the truth of who we are in Christ—fully loved, fully known, and fully free.

The Lord has placed this word heavily on my heart because He wants His people to be awakened in this hour to what is happening, especially among His leaders in the Kingdom of God. We must remain alert and vigilant to the enemy’s devices. We cannot look like the world or desire to blend in with its culture and ways. We cannot get caught up in money, likes, metrics, comments or followers. Jesus has to be our main focus and not the ways of the world. We are called to be set apart, living as holy and righteous people. The Lord’s approval is all that matters! 

Focus on the Giver, Not the Gift

The gifts and talents God has given us are powerful tools, but we must be careful not to exalt the gifts over the Giver. Scripture reminds us in James 1:17, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights." 

When we shift our focus away from God and become consumed by our talents, we risk entering dangerous territory where the use of our gifts becomes more about self than service.

Jesus reminded His disciples in Matthew 10:8, "Freely you have received; freely give." 

In today’s world, especially on social media and even within the church, we’re seeing a troubling trend. People are creating content that pleases algorithms more than seeking the Lord’s heart for what He desires to share. Instead of seeking God’s direction, many are focused on what will generate the most likes, shares, or views, often at the expense of true, spirit-led inspiration. The enemy uses this subtle distraction, pulling us into a culture where worth is measured by online engagement and worldly success, leaving little room for the Holy Spirit to guide and speak through us authentically.

This shift can lead to prioritizing popularity over purpose, where content is designed to cater to what people want to hear, rather than what God is saying. For example, sermons might become more about catchy phrases and feel-good messages than challenging truths that call for repentance or deeper faith. Worship songs may be tailored to be radio-friendly rather than anointed moments of praise.

Some leaders on social media are sharing powerful and impactful words, but then, before the message is even complete, they pivot to asking for donations or financial seeds. While asking for support is biblical, the trouble comes when the focus shifts from the message of truth to personal gain. It can distract from the heart of the gospel and lead people to question the sincerity of the message being shared. It's becoming more common for the line between ministry and marketing to blur, where the emphasis is placed on generating income rather than truly serving and uplifting God's people.

This practice can create a transactional atmosphere in spiritual spaces, leaving people questioning the authenticity of the message. Rather than encouraging believers to freely receive and reflect on God’s truth, it becomes about what they can give in return. The risk is that the power of the Holy Spirit's movement is interrupted by the pressure to monetize every moment, and the purity of sharing the Gospel becomes tainted with commercial intent.

As leaders, we must remember that our primary goal is to spread the love and truth of Jesus without strings attached. Our calling isn’t to build personal wealth or platforms, but to lead people toward a deeper relationship with Christ. Let’s keep our hearts focused on serving Jesus, trusting that He will provide in His time, and not rely on earthly methods for validation or support.

God is calling us to wake up and return to the heart of stewardship—giving and sharing the gospel not for personal recognition, but to reflect God's love and bless others. As Paul reminds us in 2 Timothy 2:26, we must come to our senses and escape the traps of the enemy, who seeks to take us captive to do his will. By embracing true stewardship, we break free from selfish motives and align ourselves with God's purpose, becoming vessels of His love and truth.

God is calling His faithful leaders to recognize when our motivations are shifting from serving the Lord to seeking the approval of people. The Lord is asking His people to realign with the true purpose of their gifts—to freely give as He has given to us, and to be a light in the world without expecting anything in return.

This awareness is crucial, especially in churches and ministries, where the temptation to create a platform or to 'build a brand' can sometimes overshadow the mission of the gospel. God desires a humble and sincere heart, not one focused on personal gain or attention. The church should be a place of selfless service, where the body of Christ works together for His glory, not our own. God wants us to be aware of these snares and to choose the narrow path—one that leads to true fulfillment in Him, not in the fleeting applause of the world.

The Danger of Doing Over Being

There’s a busyness that has crept into the hearts of many believers—a constant drive to do for the Lord instead of simply being with Him. God wants us to remember the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42. While Martha was consumed with tasks, Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet, and Jesus declared that Mary had chosen what was better. In the same way, we are called to prioritize His presence over performance.

The Lord has spoken prophetically to many in this season about the need for intimacy with Him. It’s not about how much we can accomplish for the Kingdom but how closely we walk with the King. As we draw near to the Holy Spirit, He will order our steps. The doing will come, but it must come from a place of spiritual overflow, not striving.

Breaking the Stronghold of Approval Addiction

Approval addiction is a subtle but dangerous snare. Galatians 1:10 challenges us: "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." To truly serve Christ, we must break free from the chains of people-pleasing and walk in the freedom of God’s approval alone.

God values meekness. It is the tender heart that He can mold and use. Jesus, our ultimate Shepherd, modeled humility and service. He wasn't swayed by the opinions of the crowd, but rather, He was deeply rooted in the will of the Father. In the same way, God is calling His leaders to lay down the need for human approval and embrace the quiet, humble work of serving Him with purity of heart.

This stronghold of approval addiction must be dismantled if we are to lead effectively in this season! It’s time to ask the Lord to reveal any areas in our hearts where we’ve sought validation from others, rather than from Him. Let’s commit to sitting at His feet, allowing His love and approval to be the only thing that fuels us.

Prophetic Awakening: The Hour of Tender Leadership

The Lord is raising up a new breed of leaders in this hour—leaders who are not driven by performance, recognition, or the applause of men. These leaders will be marked by meekness, humility, and an unshakable desire to please God above all else. They will speak God’s truth with boldness and authority even when it ruffles feathers or goes against the status quo. 

There’s a prophetic call being released to those who feel the weight of this truth. God is urging you to let go of the pressure to do and instead focus on being with Him. He wants to pour His heart into you, to give you fresh vision, and to lead you into a deeper understanding of His ways. Psalm 25:9 says, "He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way." If we remain humble and teachable, He will guide us.

God’s truth is clear: the more we surrender the need for human approval, the more room we create for His presence to fill us. And when we’re filled with the Holy Spirit’s presence, we can lead His people with clarity, purpose, and a heart that reflects His love. So moving forward, let’s break free from every stronghold keeping us bound and walk in the freedom that comes from knowing we are approved by the only One who truly matters—our Heavenly Father.

This is the hour to lead from a place of tenderness, humility, and complete surrender to the will of God. The Father is calling us to realign our hearts, break the chains of approval addiction, and walk boldly in the fullness of His purpose for our lives. 

Victory is in the air—embrace this moment with a heart set on King Jesus!

PRAYER

Heavenly Father:

We come before You with humble and pure hearts, acknowledging our need for Your guidance and presence in every part of our lives. Lord, we ask for Your forgiveness for the times we’ve sought approval from others more than from You. Forgive us for when we’ve allowed pride, recognition, or worldly desires to overshadow the pure purpose You’ve placed within us.

Help us to return to the heart of giving, to use the gifts You’ve so graciously given us for Your glory alone. Teach us, Father, to serve without seeking anything in return—just as Jesus came not to be served but to serve. Fill our hearts with love and humility, so that everything we do reflects Your goodness, mercy, and grace.

Lord, we ask that You reveal any snares or traps we’ve fallen into, whether they’re rooted in approval addiction, fear of man, or the desire for personal gain. Open our eyes to see these strongholds and help us break free from them through the power of Your Spirit. Lead us back to a place of intimacy with You, where we prioritize being in Your presence above all else.

Father, give us the strength to walk boldly in Your truth, unshaken by the opinions of the world. May Your Word be our anchor and Your approval be our only desire. We trust You, Lord, with our gifts, our platforms, and our purpose. Use us for Your kingdom and Your glory. In Jesus' mighty name, we pray. Amen.

SCRIPTURE

Colossians 3:23-24 – "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

Galatians 1:10 – "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."

John 12:43 – "For they loved human praise more than praise from God."

Matthew 6:1 – "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."

2 Corinthians 10:18 – "For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends."

1 Samuel 16:7 — “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."