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are you pleasing God or people?

I often feel like a chicken with it's head cut off running around try to do the things that will make others happy.  That is not good.  But I confess that this is one of my biggest hang-ups.  I like for people to be happy and for them to like me.  Which means I sometimes miss what is the most important thing.  The most important is GOD.

 

This might be true of you as well.  What does God think about you and about me?  That might just be the thing that helps us reach our potential.  Worrying about what other people think might keep us from success.

 

"Becoming obsessed with what PEOPLE think about you is the quickest way to forget what GOD thinks about you." – Craig Groeschel, www.lifechurch.tv

 

Dig in with me.  Why you we want to please people?  There are so many reason.  But one thing stands out … it is the fact our relationship with God is not as sweet as it can be.  He loves you and me.  His desire is for our good and our success.

 

Paul understood this.  But he had to make some choices.  Listen in…

 

Galatians 1:10 NLT

Obviously, I'm not trying to be a people pleaser! No, I am trying to please God. If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ's servant.

 

Lets be honest about how trying to PLEASE people hurts us and damages us.  It also hurts others and leads them astray.  Pleasing people, rather then pleasing God, is a trap than too many Christians get in.  We need to get out. 

 

Anyone we put in front of our relationship with God is an idol.  We begin to worship, maybe not out loud, that thing or person that has moved in between me and God.  The best way to get this right is to put God in His proper place.  That is FIRST PLACE in your life and mine.

 

He is worthy of our praise.  He is the holder and giver of my salvation.  He is the only one who can and has forgiven my sin.  He accepts me and you just as we are, but God won't allow us to stay the same.  He is changing us as we focus on Him.  Thus, fixing our eyes, our attention, our desire and our heart on Him is the only way to quit pleasing the wrong people.  We can and must please God alone.

 

Here are a some thoughts that might help you and I avoid the trap of people pleasing:

 

John 12:42-43 NASB

 …But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

 

Proverbs 29:25 NIV

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

 

Psalms 34:9 NLT

Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need.

 

Ask yourself this question.  Who am I trying to please?  I want to be a God pleaser.  How about you?

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