This one statement is going to free some of you…” Other people’s opinion of you is none of your Business!” Wondering, worrying or being concerned about what others think of you is one of the top reasons why people experience stress, anxiety, and/or fear…and it’s all totally unnecessary! If you haven’t done them wrong, what other people think about you is none of your business. That’s their business.
Don’t make their business, your business. Don’t allow what others think of you to control you, don’t let it disempower you. John 12:43 says, (Jesus speaking about the Pharisees) “For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God”. The world needs you to be taking care of business for God as the full authentic, Christ-centered you. You are not conforming to the image of Christ if it is none or only a little of the Holy Spirit-led you, and then a bunch of someone else’s expectations of you.
People have the right to think whatever they want to think about you. Let that be their business.
Do you know what else isn’t your business…being concerned about or being manipulated by the judgements, disapproval or criticisms of that person who is trying to create drama by being in your business while not dealing with their own insecurities, flaws, shortcomings nor focusing on improving their own daily behavior.
How people perceive you often reveals more about the condition of their own hearts than it does about who you truly are. Each person views others through the lens of their experiences, their unhealed or undealt with wounds/trauma, insecurities, their level of spiritual maturity or their level of emotional immaturity. Because of this, do not take every opinion to heart.
Eleanor Roosevelt famously said, “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people“. People with small minds, and no life of their own, focus on gossip, criticism and trivial matters about others. God has an answer for those people in James 4:11-12 (AMP) says, Believers, do not speak against or slander one another. He who speaks self-righteously against a brother or [a]judges his brother hypocritically, speaks against the Law and judges the Law. If you judge the Law, you are not a doer of the Law but a judge of it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy the one God who has the absolute power of life and death; but who are you to hypocritically or self-righteously pass judgment on your neighbor?
These verses make it clear that it is God alone who holds ultimate authority to judge, and it is a warning to Christians against slandering or condemning others, as humans are not the ultimate arbiters of right and wrong. And the truth is that their real business should not be expressing their opinion of you, but seeking the approval of God, because Romans 14:12 says, So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. and 1 Peter 4:5 says, But remember that they will have to face God, who stands ready to judge everyone, both the living and the dead. So, ultimately, they will have to give an account of themselves before God!
The greatest fear in the world is the opinions of others. And the moment you are unafraid of the crowd you are no longer a sheep, you become a lion. A great roar arises in your heart, the roar of freedom. – Osho
I have to live with me and I am responsible for me. Their opinion of me is their business and I am not here to run their business. I am here to take care of the business God has given me in terms of doing what He has called me to do. That Is My Business.
The Bible defines business outside of profit-making, but as a God-ordained activity involving stewardship, ethical conduct, diligence, and serving others, a way to honor God (Genesis 1:28, Proverbs 11:1 & 22:29)
In John 21:19-22, Jesus addresses this when Peter, after hearing he will glorify God by dying a martyr’s death, asked what would happen to John saying in John 21:21 “Lord, what about him?” and Jesus rebukes Peter’s curiosity, telling him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” (John 21:22). This exchange shows Jesus’ focus on Peter’s own calling to follow Him, not on comparing their destinies. Jesus response emphasizes that, our role, just like Peter’s role is to follow Jesus, not concern ourselves with what God has called others to do.
John 21:19-22 says, 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”
22 Jesus said to him, “If I [a]will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”
The passage highlights Jesus’ instruction for Peter (and Christians) to focus on our personal calling and relationship with Him, rather than being preoccupied with what others think of us or allowing their opinions to distract us from our calling.
What others think about me is not my assignment from God.
The Lord has given me my own calling, my own work, and my own stewardship. I’m not meant to manage opinions, assumptions, or judgments that don’t belong to me.
I choose not to involve myself in business God never asked me to run. My time, energy, and focus are investments, and I will invest them where He has called me to be faithful.
I cannot successfully carry the responsibility God gave me while also carrying burdens He never placed on my shoulders. I won’t sacrifice my obedience, peace, or purpose to help someone else prosper at my expense.
I will mind the work God has entrusted to me—and trust Him to handle the rest.
The only opinion you should care about is what God thinks about you. You are here to bring glory to God and to serve His purposes (Spiritual Growth, being in relationship with Him, to be conformed to Christ, experiencing His presence and finding ultimate purpose and joy in Him, not in circumstances. To accomplish His overarching divine plan, to spread the good news and to make disciples, demonstrating His power and love in a fallen world)
You cannot do that when your heart is ruled by the fear of people instead of reverence for God. You cannot do that when you shape your behavior, compromise your values, rearrange your priorities, or adjust your words and responses to gain approval from others rather than to honor the Lord. A life surrendered to God is not formed by the shifting opinions of people, but by obedience to Him alone.
Proverbs 29:25 (AMP) The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in and puts his confidence in the Lord will be exalted and safe.
Wasting your time worrying about or thinking about what others may or may not be thinking about you serves no purpose. It is a total waste of your time and energy. It will drain u giving power to others opinion, emotions and immature behavior. Their opinion does not define your value! even if the criticism is loud, it has zero eternal impact and still does not define who you are nor your value! Romans 3:22 says, you are the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 4:24 says to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Your identity is not and will never be based on someone else’s opinion or criticism of you. As a Child of God, He defines who you are:
- You are a New Creation – 2 Corinthians 5:17
- You are a Child of God – John 1:12
- You are Accepted & Forgiven – Galatians 2:20
- Shall I continue?…
- You are God’s Workmanship – Ephesians 2:10
- You are Complete in Him – Colossians 2:10
With that said, Christians should live well among non-believers so their good deeds point to God (1 Peter 2:12) and so they can share the Gospel (Colossians 4:3-6).
While true worth comes from God, seeking some good opinion helps share the Gospel, therefore, be sure to present yourself well to make the most of opportunities to share your faith.
1 Peter 2:15 (AMP) says, For it is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance and irresponsible criticisms of foolish people.
Even when you strive to live with integrity, kindness, and faith, some people will still misunderstand you or choose not to like you—sometimes without truly knowing you at all. This is unavoidable. Even Jesus was rejected, criticized, and misunderstood. Make peace with this truth, and do not take it personally.
Do not give those who do not know you the power to steal your peace or define your worth. Your value is not determined by human approval but by God, who created you, knows you fully, and loves you completely.
Do not give even those closest to you the authority to dictate who you are meant to be or to limit what God can do through you. Family and friends, though often well-meaning, can still speak from their own fears, expectations, or brokenness. Listen with discernment, but do not allow their opinions to pull you away from God’s calling on your life.
You may please some people some of the time, but you will never please everyone. There will always be those who remain dissatisfied or critical no matter what you do. This is not a reflection of your faithfulness or your worth. When you live in stress and worry over the opinions of others, you begin to live out of a false identity. Instead of walking in the freedom of who God created you to be, you shape yourself around human approval. Seeking to please people distorts the life God designed, but seeking to please Him allows you to live in truth, obedience, and authenticity before the Lord. Even if you do get others’ approval, if it’s at the expense of yourself, it won’t be truly satisfying. Free yourself from the burden of seeking validation from people, and instead seek to be approved by God alone.
At the end of the day, you are the one who must live before God with a clear conscience. Walk in truth, humility, and love, trusting that your identity and peace are securely held in Him.
Let’s make this clear, the idea that you should stop caring about what other people THINK of you DOES NOT mean you shouldn’t care about other people? It’s not the same thing at all! Remember the 2nd Greatest Commandment, you are called to love them as you love yourself, but that DOES NOT include their criticisms and their opinion.
Be a “God-pleaser,” not a “people-pleaser, Don’t be easily swayed by criticism, your worth is in being God’s child, not in human approval. Ultimate security rests in God, not people’s praise or criticism, which can be fleeting and misleading.
Being popular with the world at the expense of your soul is no kind of achievement and nothing to be proud of in any form or fashion.
God’s Opinion Matters Most: Galatians 1:10 asks, “Am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ”.
Their opinion has no eternal impact! Ultimately, God’s opinion is the only one that matters! Also, their opinion has no dominion, especially in God’s Kingdom.
Remember the three greatest commandments
- Love God: With all your heart, soul, and mind.
- Love Your Neighbor: As you love yourself.
- Jesus said to love others as He has loved us.
I refer back to the Second Commandment, love other as…You Love Yourself, not in a prideful, arrogant or conceited way, but in a healthy way, recognizing how God found you worthy to send His Son to the cross to save you and give you eternal life. From that perspective, recognize your own worth as created by God, loved by God, saved by God for good works, including loving others.
There are a few people God places in your life whose voices truly matter. These are the ones who pray for you, stand with you, love you well, and genuinely desire God’s best for you. When they speak, they do so with grace and wisdom, not to wound you, but to help you grow.
They may not always agree with you, yet their words are covered in love, humility, and your best interest at heart. Their counsel is rooted in truth, not criticism.
As for everyone else—release them to God. Not every opinion deserves your attention, and not every voice is meant to shape your walk. Trust the Lord with what others think, and keep your focus on the path He has set before you.
Finally, remember — love them, and not their opinion, only seek the approval of the One who has dominion and do those things that advance His Kingdom!
Love you guys. Compiled by Stephan Sanford and extending blessings, grace and peace to you all. Go Live The Victory!
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References:
The MacArthur Study Bible
Life Application Study Bible
The Tony Evans Bible Commentary
The Moody Bible Commentary
NLT Illustrated Study Bible
Harper’s Bible Commentary
Sermoncentral.com
NIV & The Message Parallel Study Bible
The Wiersbe Bible Commentary NT
