Organizing the Inside – Day 279 Please God, Not People

June 8, 2012 at 5:00 pm · Filed under Encouragement, Leadership, Purpose, Relationship, Wisdom, Women's Ministry and tagged: Christianity, Live Boldly, Please God, Serving God, Stand Strong

Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. Galatians 1:10 (NLT)

Don’t be a people pleaser.
How many times have you hesitated to do something you felt was right because you considered what someone thought? Caring about another person’s feelings is something that any loving Christian should do; but that’s not the real issue. Let’s take a moment to look at what happens when we care what others think. When you spend time caring too much about what people think, you can easily lose yourself. How many times have you held back, and even resisted doing God’s work (His way) because you stopped to consider what others might think. People who cave under the pressure to please others, often do so at the cost of forfeiting their God-ordained future.

You shouldn’t be surprised.
Don’t expect people to understand your sold-out lifestyle. Don’t be surprised when even some who call themselves Christians raise an eyebrow at how you choose to raise your family, or your prudent decisions not to indulge. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. Matthew 7:14 (NLT) Remember what Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7:21 (NIV)

Please God First.
If we do the good that we know to do, then God will deal with those who would rather judge and criticize instead of praying for success. When we fear rejection we often act outside of God’s will in order to avoid experiencing the emotional uncertainty that’s associated not being accepted by man. There comes a time when the choice between pleasing God and pleasing man is obvious. Don’t make the mistake of trying to please people because of emotional dependency or a need for approval. Life becomes complicated when we don’t put God first. Seek God first and He will guide you in every decision. The choice is yours; choose to do what pleases God. For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 (NLT)

Apply knowledge:

1. Know what you should forget about. (what people think)
2. Know what you should remember. (God’s Word)
3. Be led by the Spirit, not fear and not emotions.
4. Know that God’s rewards for obedience are real.

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