Who Are You Trying to Please?

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10

Why do you do what you do? Where does your motivation come from to do or not to do certain things? Unfortunately, often the answer lies in who we are trying to please, who we are trying to make happy or win over. Or maybe it's to look good to you, to please yourself. Maybe you are you trying to please a boss, a spouse, or maybe a child, and in the process you end up frustrated, unhappy and/or confused?

Is it possible you are trying to keep up with the Jones'? The groomed lawn, the car, the attire, etc... Problem is - there is no end to that. Do you try to live your Christian life the same way someone else does? Worship or sing the same songs someone else does?

Are you seeing a pattern here? Do you not do anything outside of the observation of who it will please or how others will see you? God has another way. We are not to be about comparison and measuring up to others. When we look at our lives we need to ask ourselves - in doing this who am I trying to please? As Christ's children and servants our desire should be only to please God - to love and live as He did. Are you living in holiness, in humility, in peace? Are you being faithful to His call and Words?

In Christ we have all we need, and He will supply as we need it to do His work, not our work or the work of others.

Meditate on these verses as you think about your life and whose approval you are seeking.

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Col. 3:17 (ESV)

"And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15 (ESV)

"...but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts." 1 Thess. 2:4 (ESV)

"...not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart," Ephesians 6:6 (ESV)

May we each learn to daily lay aside our need to please man, and live only to bring Him honor and glory and point others to Him.

Lynne Jahns
Christian Counselor