Are you addicted to religious praise and approval?

That may sound like a very strange question. It is common to be addicted to alcoholism, drugs, gambling, obesity, pornography, and tobacco. Some of these are chemical addictions, emotional addictions, physical addictions, and psychological addictions. Too many addictions! Is it possible to be addicted to religious praise and approval? First, let’s consider some terminology to make sure we’re talking about the same thing…

ad·dic·tion (noun)
the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity.
Addiction
is the continued repetition of a behavior despite adverse consequences, or a neurological impairment leading to such behaviors.
What is Addiction?
Addiction is a condition that results when a person ingests a substance (alcohol, cocaine, nicotine) or engages in an activity (gambling) that can be pleasurable but the continued use of which becomes compulsive and interferes with ordinary life responsibilities, such as work or relationships, or health.
What is addiction?
Still, defining addiction for ourselves is certainly important to the process of recovery. After all, in our First Step we admit powerlessness over it. That admission is the foundation upon which our recovery is built. So the question, “What is addiction?” is relevant indeed; the fellowship has a responsibility to consider it carefully.
Definition of Addiction
Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors.

This kind of addiction is a continued repetition of behavior, which has long-term negative consequences, but is so pleasurable that you don’t have the power to keep from pursuing the brief rewards it brings. Praise and approval are powerful pleasures. Craving the pleasure of praise and approval can turn into an addiction, which can be a powerful motivator.

Are you serving God, as the Apostles did, rather than serving man?

Are you motivated by God’s love? This is a pure love that does not generate an addiction. It generates a desire to do the right things because they are right. It does not have long-term negative consequences.

But Peter and John replied,  “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him?  We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20)

But Peter and the apostles replied,  “We must obey God rather than any human authority.  (Acts 5:29)

 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God.  If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. (Galatians 1:10)

For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News.  feOur purpose is to please God, not people.  He alone examines the motives of our hearts. Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you well know. And God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money!  As for human praise, we have never sought it from you or anyone else.  (1 Thessalonians 2:4-6)

 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.  God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.  We love each other because he loved us first.  (1 John 4:16-19)

Are you addicted to religious praise?

Are you compelled to earn the praise of religious followers? This motivation might make you neglect your friends, your neighbors, your family, and yourself, all in the name of doing things to earn the praise of religious followers. This is a self-destructive behavior with long-term negative consequences. Craving the short-term pleasure of this praise can turn into an addiction…

 Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them;  otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets,  so that they may be honored by men.  Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. (Matthew 6:1-2)

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples,  “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees  are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden.  “Everything they do is for show.  On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels. And they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the synagogues.  They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces,  and to be called ‘Rabbi.’ (Matthew 23:1-7)

Are you addicted to religious approval?

Are you compelled to earn the approval of religious leaders? This motivation might make you neglect your friends, your neighbors, your family, and yourself, all in the name of doing things to earn the praise of religious leaders. This is a self-destructive behavior with long-term negative consequences. Craving the short-term pleasure of this approval can turn into an addiction…

Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? (2 Corinthians 3:1)

We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. (2 Corinthians 10:12)

When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them. (2 Corinthians 10:18)

If you think this kind of addiction only afflicts the weak and beggarly, consider how much King Saul craved the praise of the people and craved the approval of Samuel. Even kings can be addicted to religious praise and approval…

Saul replied, “I have sinned.  But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel;  come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD your God.” (1 Samuel 15:30)

You can be delivered from this addiction

This kind of addiction to religious praise and religious approval is very common. Please read: The fear of religion is a dangerous trap and Do you have religious trauma syndrome? The solution to this kind of addiction is to admit you are powerless over it and turn to God…

Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting,  committed them to the Lord,  in whom they had put their trust. (Acts 14:23)

“Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (Acts 20:31-32)

I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, so that if I am delayed,  you will know how people must conduct themselves  in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:14-15)

If you are struggling with this concept, please write to us or join the conversation below.