The Need For Acceptance

[Chuck7]

Adults do many things out of the desire for the acceptance
and approval of their peers. They swear, drink, smoke,
use drugs, tell dirty stories, etc. just to be one of the
gang just to be accepted. They follow the latest
fads, wear the latest fashion in clothing, cut their hair
according to the latest cut. Some even choose their
ideas and opinions according to the latest fashion. And
it is all done for the regard, acceptance and approval of
others.


From all this we see that the need for social acceptance and
approval is one of the Devil's most effective tools. He
blackmails us. If we won't follow along and go his way we
suffer the consequences. If we won't conform to the perverse
mind of the crowd, go along with it, we will be rejected,
ostracized, and ridiculed. The choice is either to follow our
conscience, to follow what we down deep in our heart know is
right, or to follow the crowd. We have to decide. And Satan
gives us that choice at a very young age. And he brings strong
pressure to bear to influence our choice. In no age group is
it popular to be "too straight" people who are "too
straight" can expect to be rejected, scorned and made fun of.
Most people, in one way or another, give in to this inexorable
force and go along.


Psalm 1



1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.

[Shawn]

Good one Chuck7

[Snooky]

Very good Chuck,

[DaveH]

Absolutely agreed. In addition, there are some who are more than willing to point out the sins of others which they have issue with. Someone very close to me is relentless in pointing out the sins of living together before marriage, drinking, cussing and other easily observable sins -- because he has no desire to do any of them. However, pride, laziness, worry, service to others and other such sins are never mentioned . . . because those are his. Trying to fit in is often difficult - esp in today's world -- and it's not going to get better any time soon.

[Chuck7]

Thanks for the drink of encouragement { -;
C7

[IL_ray_phillips]

Awsome Chuck! I just did a devotional with my son about this very thing. How if we properly live for Christ we will be viewed as different and be shunned by the World.
The Christians during the time of Jesus really had this to deal with. The left the normal teaching of the Jews to follow Christ! Something that was not cool! Leaving all those traditions and regulations that had been taught for ages to follow the Word of God.
Today we have to do the same thing. That is o.k.! We can be different in this world because our true home is now being prepared for us. When we get there we will fit in perfectly for ever!

[Chuck7]

When we get there we will fit in perfectly for ever!
Ray.{ Great White Hunter}

Amen brother..excellent word.

[PastorJim08]

Chuck, thank you for the good word. The acceptance pendulum can swing both ways though. I too, struggle with acceptance. But it is acceptance from the church people I crave. You see, I came up in a church without my parents and family. I was the only one from my household that went to church. Since there were many families in our church who had three and four generations attending, I always felt like a step-child. Thus, I was always seeking acceptance from others. It seemed that no matter what I did, it was never enough or didn't quite measure up to what others had done. I always felt second class or like an outsider. As I grew older, I found that many of the people I looked up to, had more issues than I did. This led to dissapointment and resentment. Then one day I was praying and God just dropped a verse in my heart that I have never forgotten. Romans 11:17 "If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root." This means that no matter my background, I have been grafted into the vine by the Master Gardner. I still struggle with acceptance, but when I do, I have to remember this verse.

Blessings.....Pastorjim

[Chuck7]

Appreciate the reply brother Jim..Know that you are loved from this family..{ -;

your replies have always reflected the love of God...I understand why many have drifted away from this site...but you are missed..You can see your well thought out pastor heart in each reply..

C7