Pleasing God-Not Man

Many people, including me, struggle with focusing on pleasing people and unintentionally take our eyes off of Jesus (Also known as people pleasing). Is this wrong? Are there dangers to this type of mentality? Today, we are going to dive into this topic and see what the Bible has to say about it.

First, why do we "people please?"

We want to be liked, and accepted. We want people to think the very best of us. And many times, receiving the praise of others, is getting the affirmation that we are a good person, which in turn makes us feel good about ourselves. And while doing nice things for others around us isn't bad, our motives should be to bring glory to God and not receiving the praise of man. Here are some dangers to people pleasing:

1. Fearing human opinions (what people think about us), more than God.
2. Compromising truth and convictions. (straying away from what you know is the right thing to do, to make someone happy)
3. Religious hypocrisy and performance. (thinking that we can do enough good things to make us "a good Christian" and gain the approval of man)

Galatians 1:10 says,

"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."

We are called to please God despite what the people around us think. When we sacrifice every part of ourselves to God, we are also sacrificing our yearning to please others.

2 Corinthians 5:9 says,

"So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him."

Our goal and aim in life should be to please God in any season of life. Especially if we are around other people or if we are alone. God knows our intentions and what we are thinking. Consequently, when we live by God's standards, for HIM, we automatically help and bless others around us.

So that leads us to our next question; "How can we live to please God?"

Hebrews 11:6 says,

"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."

We are to have faith in Christ, believing that He exists and that He saves.

Romans 12:1-2 says,

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Paul is saying that we should sacrifice ourselves to God, not to be of this world, but be changed by the renewal of our minds (staying in God's Word).

Colossians 3:20 says,

"Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord."

Scripture tells us to obey our parents. Here's one way to think about it: When a godly parent is raising us and instructing us based upon scripture, and we obey them then we are pleasing G0d because at the end of the day we are obeying Scripture. It looks like this:

Godly parents studies and obeys scripture -->

Godly parents create instructions for son/daughter from those scriptures -->

Son/daughter obeys parents instructions that are rooted in God's Word-->

Son/daughter is actually obeying God, because the instruction came from His Word!

It's amazing when you see it from that perspective!

But now let's look at how can we please man Biblically?

1 Corinthians 10:32-33 says,

"Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God,  just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved."

Romans 15:1-2 also says,

"We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up."

We can please others for their spiritual growth by teaching them God's Word, being a light unto them, and by strengthening them.

Philippians 2:3-4 says,

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Romans 15:3 also says,

"For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”"

We should not just focus on ourselves and ignore others needs or feelings. We should be willing to give up our wants and desires so that we can help the others so that they might experience the love of Christ through us and turn to Him.

To close this devotional, our focus in our walk with Christ should be to please God, not man. To not seek the approval of others, but to seek the approval of God. We should not change ourselves for the people around us, but we should please God despite what man thinks of it. When we help others with the motive to bring honor, glory and praise to God, then we know we will receive an eternal reward that far surpasses the temporary praise of man. Praise God that Jesus lived the perfect life that we could never live, and died the death that we deserved that we might be clothed in His righteousness (His good and perfect works)!