If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified.
1 Peter 4:11
Recommended Reading
1 Peter 4:1-11
We all seek approval, wanting to be liked, respected, admired, and appreciated. But when put into practice, our Christian principles sometimes incur the disapproval of others. The apostle Peter warned his readers to turn away from "lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries," even though our friends will "think it strange that [we] do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation" and will speak evil of us (1 Peter 4:3-4).
In obeying Christ, we may lose the approval of peers, but we'll gain the approbation of the Lord. For the Christian, there's blessed peace in knowing God no longer sees us in our sin, but He sees us through Christ. He's not disapproving of His children. Our sins are forgiven, and all our efforts to live for Him are blessed.
Whether you speak or minister, do it with a sense of God's blessing and approval, no matter what others may think. As you labor with the ability God supplies, He will be "glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen" (1 Peter 4:11b).
