Pleasing God Instead Of People

On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 1 Thess. 2:4

There is a Western Movie that I have long forgotten the title of, but I remember one particular scene. A fellow rides up and comes across a large number of gray soldiers. It is the time of the American Civil war, and this man who comes upon the soldiers begins to praise the South and the Confederacy thinking it will be pleasing to them. Only when the soldiers begin to shake off the gray trail dust does he discover his mistake. Under all that gray dust covering are soldiers dressed in blue uniforms. They are Federal Union Soldiers and not Confederates as he incorrectly assumed.

We make a mistake when we try to be people pleasers rather than seeking what pleases God instead. Those two things do not always align. Some action or activity may be acceptable and approved by those around us, even by some Christians, yet we know in our hearts and consciences that the Lord does not approve of it.

In words, actions, and even in our thoughts we can become misaligned with the will of God. We need to examine our hearts and minds to be sure we are in alignment with God’s will, pleasing Him, even if it causes displeasure to those around us.

In the southern part of the USA there is a thing called “Southern Hospitality”. It is very real. Having grown up around lots of older southern people and southern relatives, it is unthinkable to them to displease a guest, or make their guest uncomfortable in any way. This phenomena is not carried out in other portions of the USA where you may find just the opposite attitude to any given situation. But Southern Hospitality is a kind of “given grace” even when the guests are themselves inconsiderate and displeasing in many ways.

People pleasing comes naturally to some people, and it is a natural reaction to want to be kind and friendly toward everyone. But that does not mean we should ever “just go along” with anyone or every sort of socially aaccepted actions and behavior. No, not when those actions take us outside of God’s Will for our lives and when such actions can destroy our witness for Christ.

We must remain steadfast in our allegiance and adherence to Jesus Christ no matter what others might expect of us. When we can please others and remain in good standing with Jesus that is a wonderful thing. But when others would pull us away, or our own desire to please others could lead us astray from Jesus, it is time to take our eyes off of others and fix them securely upon our Risen Lord instead.

Life presents us with many challenges. One of those challenges is to avoid always “going along with the crowd”. For that crowd may be diametrically opposed to God’s Will for our lives and their own lives. We who have committed ourselves to Jesus cannot maintain a Dual Allegiance. You cannot serve Two Masters.

Prayer: Dear Lord, it is difficult to withstand the ire of the crowd, to displease others. Yet let us never side with others against You or Your Will for our lives. Amen.