There is a quiet pressure many people feel today. It comes from the constant noise of public opinion. Everyone seems to have a verdict on how you should live, what you should believe, and even how your relationship with God should look. If one is not careful, they start adjusting their life to keep people happy instead of keeping their heart steady before God.

One doesn’t have to pretend, nor perform. And one doesn’t have to build their life on the shaky ground of approval. If you do, you will keep chasing a moving target. The crowd changes its mind too easily. What they applaud today, they criticize tomorrow.

Here’s the truth: A life rooted in people’s opinions will always shake. A life rooted in God will always stand.

The Problem With Living for Public Approval

People mean well sometimes, but they are not perfect anchors. Their expectations can drain you. Their reactions can confuse you. Their judgments can discourage you. And their praise can mislead you. If one build their decisions on what others think, they end up living a life that looks successful on the outside but feels empty inside.

Public opinion is loud, but it is not always wise. It is quick, but it is not always true. It is popular, but it is not always godly.

Why God’s Voice Matters More

God’s guidance is steady. It is objective and doesn’t change every few minutes. God is ever-present; flowing through all of creation. The guidance of God protect you, and grow you. God’s approval strengthens you. When one follow God, they regain clarity. One stops rushing. One stops comparing. One stops panicking. One begin to walk in purpose, and not pressure.

God will never call you to live a life that depends on the applause of others. Rather, God calls for your follower-ship, even if no one claps for you.

How can One Shift Their Focus Back to God?

• Slow down long enough to listen: The noise of the world makes God’s voice feel faint. Spend time with God daily, even if it is ten quiet minutes. You can’t follow a voice you no longer hear.
• Ask God before you ask people: Before you post, decide, or commit, talk to God about it. Let God’s peace, not people’s reactions, be your compass.
• Let go of the fear of disappointing others: You won’t satisfy everyone. You were not meant to. What matters is living with a clear conscience before God.
• Choose obedience, even when it’s unpopular: Some of the greatest spiritual breakthroughs come after doing what God asked, even when it didn’t make sense to those watching.

In Conclusion

One was never created to live by the pressure of public opinion. One was created to walk with God, to hear God, and to follow God. Let the crowd talk. Let people think what they want. One doesn’t need a majority vote to obey God.

Focus on God. Build on God. Keep your eyes on God. Everything else will fall into place.

©️Victor E. Ojei, 2025.