Found this quote on the blog Ministry Best Practices
An unhealthy dependence on people for affirmation traps us in a horrible prison. The Bible calls this dependence “the fear of man”. “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord will be kept safe” (Proverbs 29:25). The apostle Paul speaks of the same trap as “trying to win the approval of men” (Galatians 1:10). Jesus called it loving “praise from men more than praise from God” (John 12:43). In more colloquial terms, my spiritual father, Jack Miller, referred to it as “being an approval suck.” Being controlled by the “fear of man” is to make people, rather than God, our delight-our great delight.
-Scotty Smith, Objects of His Affection, Coming Alive to the Compelling Love of God
