Affirmation is an addiction. The algorithms today are programmed to feed that addiction.
To be told you are accepted, loved, and valued is something that we all crave from the youngest ages.
Part of growing up is learning how not to determine what you do, plan, or hope to be based on that instinctual craving.
One of the great challenges of teenagers is learning how to determine whose affirmation you desire. The cool kids, the rule breakers, or some other subset culture where you are at the time. On second thought, that is true for leaders of all sorts, especially preachers.
Peer pressure.
I saw a video recently; in some cultures, young men will jump off a tower with a rope tied to their ankles to demonstrate their manhood.
Learning how to choose your peers will determine the big choices you make and the big ideas that fuel your life.
Today, we see our whole world is driven by the affirmation of algorithm.
What the masses watch, follow, like, and share has built a system of influence in our world. For the most part, the social revolution driven by the algorithm of influence has had a detrimental effect.
Jesus spoke to the need for believers to be counter-culture in our values.
“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” John 15:18
Here is another way of saying this,
“Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” Luke 6:26
One of the greatest tragedies to happen in Christianity is the race for acceptability from people who are not grounded in the authority of scripture. In fact, many in the realm of Christianity have long rejected the idea of absolute truth and its connection to the Scripture.
What happens is this, as the culture changes the leaders of christians in short order begin to rationalize why christianity should change.
This is where a large percentage of Christianity has found itself.
The United Methodist is going through a split. A small percentage have left the main organization. The main reason is that the majority of those who vote in the United States no longer believe what Methodists have believed historically about many things.
I know some men who were part of a local congregation where I live. I remember the grave conclusions they came to about what had happened to the United Methodists. One of the men said, “Many don’t even believe Jesus is God.”
Reminded me of this text when I heard this conclusion.
“They are ungodly persons whose condemnation was predicted long ago, for they distort the grace of our God into decadence and immoral freedom [viewing it as an opportunity to do whatever they want], and deny and disown our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” Jude 4
When you have no commitment to moral absolutes, commitment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ will remain.
How did this happen?
The Affirmation addiction.
Jesus identified this then, and we see it today
”For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” John 12:43
I have noticed one of the hardest tests a pastor will ever face is the crisis of conscience when faced with preaching hard things and making hard decisions and stands.
It’s especially hard for those who are naturally people pleasers.
If one is afflicted with the need to be seen as graceful person who needs to be affirmed, they potentially are the worst kind of pastors and leaders. The need to be affirmed will cause one to affirm things that need scrutiny and judgement.
One of the cancers eating at the foundation of every profession is recognition and to be legitimized by the established order. The established order demands all to bow before the golden image by affirming the established order.
No doubt there is a reasonable need to recognize and abide by established practice when it’s legitimate. However, when demands are arbitrary or without a factual basis, the test is, will you be a voice?
Jesus Christ himself modeled the perfect example of dealing with the criticism, critique, and outright rejection of the established order.
Jesus was crucified by the affirmation model.
The world chose a robber and murderer over an innocent man who went around doing good. If we are not careful and are silenced, coerced, or conformed to the demands of the current culture, we might be celebrated and applauded.
Commitment to truth and faithfulness to Jesus and the Word of God will come at a high cost.
However, Jesus showed us how to deal with rejection.
“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” Luke 23:34
The greatest praise in heaven will not come from the Angels or the four and twenty elders. The greatest praises will come from the voice of the Almighty God when he declares to you, “Well done thou good and faithful servant!”
All the critics and criticism will melt away on that wonderful day.
In Him, By Him, Through Him,
Scott A. Phillips
”For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” John 12:43
What I mentioned above,