Seeking Approval Podcast

Dr. R.C. Smelcer - Gilead Baptist Church
  • 5.0 (1)
  • CHRISTIANITY

Seeking Approval is a Bible-based podcast that deals honestly with one of the quiet struggles many believers face: the desire to be accepted, affirmed, and approved by people rather than resting in the approval of God. In a world driven by opinions, applause, comparison, and constant noise, this podcast turns the listener back to Scripture for clarity, conviction, and peace. Each episode opens the Word of God and addresses real-life pressures through sound biblical teaching, thoughtful reflection, and practical application. The focus is not on self-esteem, popularity, or performance, but on learning what it truly means to stand approved unto God. Topics include people-pleasing, identity in Christ, spiritual confidence, handling criticism, and living faithfully without chasing affirmation. This podcast is designed for believers who want to grow deeper in their walk with the Lord, strengthen their spiritual foundation, and learn how to live with conviction in a culture that constantly demands compromise. The goal is simple: less striving for approval from man, and a greater confidence in the approval that comes from God alone.

  1. 23H AGO

    SA Ep36 - The Dangers of Comparison (Part 3)

    Send us a text The Danger of Comparison (Part 3) Summary Many believers struggle not because they lack faith, but because they are trying to live someone else’s walk with God. In this episode, we address the damaging assumption that there is only one “right” way to be a Christian and examine how comparison distorts God’s design for individual calling and growth. Scripture reminds us that God works through people, not replicas, and that faithfulness matters more than sameness. This episode encourages listeners to let go of false expectations, recognize God’s intentional design in their lives, and find freedom in following Christ personally rather than measuring themselves against others.

    16 min

  2. 2D AGO

    SA Ep35 - The Dangers of Comparison (Part 2)

    Send us a text The Dangers of Comparison (Part 2) Summary Comparison often does more than discourage believers. Over time, it quietly turns into condemnation. In this episode, we explore the crucial difference between the Holy Spirit’s conviction and the enemy’s accusation, and why so many Christians confuse the two. Condemnation leaves believers feeling unworthy, disqualified, and hesitant to draw near to God, while conviction lovingly calls us toward repentance and grace. By examining Scripture, this episode exposes condemnation as a spiritual weapon that paralyzes faith and keeps sincere believers at a distance from the very help they need. Listeners are reminded that shame is not humility, and that freedom begins when we learn to reject condemnation and come boldly to the throne of grace.

    19 min

  3. 2D AGO

    SA Ep34 - The Dangers of Comparison (Part 1)

    Send us a text The Dangers of Comparison (Part 1) Summary Comparison is one of the most common yet least acknowledged struggles in the Christian life. Many believers love God deeply, yet quietly measure their walk against others and come away feeling discouraged, inadequate, or spiritually behind. In this episode, we examine the subtle danger of comparison from a biblical perspective and why Scripture warns against measuring ourselves by one another. Rather than producing growth, comparison distorts reality, fuels discouragement, and shifts our focus away from personal obedience to Christ. This opening episode lays the foundation for the series by exposing comparison as a spiritual battleground and pointing listeners back to the freedom found in walking faithfully with God, one step at a time.

    17 min

  4. 3D AGO

    SA Ep33 - Anger, Bitterness, and Compassion (Part 2)

    Send us a text Part 2: Compassion Without Compromise In Part 2, we continue the conversation by focusing on biblical compassion and why it must always walk hand in hand with truth. Compassion is often misunderstood as silence, avoidance, or minimizing pain, but Scripture presents it differently. True compassion does not deny what happened, excuse sin, or bypass accountability. It speaks truth carefully, patiently, and without cruelty. In this episode, we explore how forgiveness differs from reconciliation, why words matter deeply in moments of apology, and how humility before God is essential for healing to begin. This is a sober and hopeful look at how Christ’s example of grace and truth gives us a better path forward when relationships are strained and hearts are wounded.

    18 min

  5. 4D AGO

    Content Annoucement

    Send us a text A Minor Adjustment With each of our channels/platforms growing so rapidly, we are making a few adjustments to keep things clear and easy to find. Our Seeking Approval Podcast will be reserved for APPLICATION DEVOTIONS and a few minor Bible Doctrine lessons. If you are searching the continuing classroom lessons on Debunking Calvinism, you can find them here (Sermon Audio) or here (YouTube).  Thank you for continuing to bless us with your support of listening. We pray these episodes are a blessing to you and your walk with the Lord.  God Bless!

    2 min

  6. 4D AGO

    SA Ep32 - Anger, Bitterness, and Compassion (Part 1)

    Send us a text Anger, Bitterness, and Compassion (Part 1) Summary Anger and hurt do not usually begin with hatred. They begin with pain that was never properly dealt with. In this episode, we take a biblical look at how unresolved anger turns into bitterness, how unforgiveness disguises itself as self protection, and why forgiveness and reconciliation are not the same thing. Scripture is allowed to define the path to healing, showing why dealing with wounds early matters, how words can either heal or harm, and what it really takes to move toward peace without denying truth.

    25 min

  7. JAN 29

    SA Ep31 - The Fear of Failure (Part 4 From Weakness to Warrior)

    Send us a text Part 4: Failure as a Tool, How God Uses Weakness to Build Warriors In this episode, we confront the truth that God does not merely tolerate our weakness, He uses it. Failure is not evidence that God has rejected us, but proof that He is refining us. Scripture shows that weakness is the very platform where God’s grace shines brightest, humility is formed, dependence is learned, discernment is sharpened, compassion is deepened, and perseverance is built. Drawing from passages throughout Scripture, this episode explains how failure becomes part of God’s training process, shaping believers into spiritual warriors who learn to rise again by faith. The episode closes with a pastoral call to abandon the fear of failure and embrace the conqueror identity declared in Romans 8. Listeners are reminded that failure does not define them, fear does not own them, and weakness does not disqualify them. Through Christ, believers are not victims or survivors, but more than conquerors, called to live with confidence, faith, and forward motion for the glory of God.

    32 min

  8. JAN 27

    SA Ep30 (Doctrine Series) Lesson 6 - Biblical Inspiration/Authority

    Send us a text Part One: The Authority of God’s Word In this opening session, we lay the foundation for everything that follows by settling the question of authority. Before interpretation, doctrine, or application can begin, we must first answer why the Bible has the right to speak with final authority at all. Scripture presents itself not as man’s thoughts about God, but as God’s own Word given to man. We examine the doctrine of verbal plenary inspiration, affirming that all Scripture is God-breathed, extending to the very words of the text, not merely its general ideas or themes. The Bible is fully inspired by God while written through human authors under the superintendence of the Holy Ghost, resulting in a unified, authoritative, and trustworthy Word. From inspiration flows inerrancy. Because God cannot lie or err, His Word is wholly true in all that it affirms. Scripture is not merely accurate in spiritual matters while unreliable elsewhere; it speaks truthfully in history, doctrine, and revelation. To question the truthfulness of Scripture at any point is ultimately to question the character of the God who gave it. We also address the vital doctrine of preservation. God has not only given His Word, but He has kept it. Through His providence, Scripture has been preserved for His people so that what we hold today is the Word God intended us to have. The Bible is not a lost or corrupted message, but a living, settled, and enduring testimony that stands forever. This session establishes confidence in the Bible as the inspired, inerrant, and preserved Word of God. With authority firmly grounded, we are now prepared to move forward into interpretation, understanding, and application, standing on a foundation that cannot be shaken.

    41 min
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About

Seeking Approval is a Bible-based podcast that deals honestly with one of the quiet struggles many believers face: the desire to be accepted, affirmed, and approved by people rather than resting in the approval of God. In a world driven by opinions, applause, comparison, and constant noise, this podcast turns the listener back to Scripture for clarity, conviction, and peace. Each episode opens the Word of God and addresses real-life pressures through sound biblical teaching, thoughtful reflection, and practical application. The focus is not on self-esteem, popularity, or performance, but on learning what it truly means to stand approved unto God. Topics include people-pleasing, identity in Christ, spiritual confidence, handling criticism, and living faithfully without chasing affirmation. This podcast is designed for believers who want to grow deeper in their walk with the Lord, strengthen their spiritual foundation, and learn how to live with conviction in a culture that constantly demands compromise. The goal is simple: less striving for approval from man, and a greater confidence in the approval that comes from God alone.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. R.C. Smelcer - Gilead Baptist Church
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Seeking Approval Podcast
  • Show Website
    Seeking Approval Podcast