Don’t Be a People Pleaser
In today's society, the desire to please others often overshadows our commitment to uphold the truth and serve Christ faithfully. The Apostle Paul addresses this issue directly in Galatians 1:10, challenging us to examine our motives and prioritize our allegiance to God over the approval of people:
“[10] For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10
Serving Christ requires us to stand firm in the truth of the gospel of grace, even when it contradicts popular opinion or offends others. Paul emphasizes that seeking to please men is incompatible with true servanthood to Christ. Our ultimate accountability is to God, and we will each stand before Him to answer for our actions. The book of Romans reminds us of this accountability:
“[10] But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. [11] For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. [12] So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." – Romans 14:10-12
Understanding this, our actions and decisions should be guided by what is pleasing to God, not by the constantly moving target of human approval.
The Dangers of People Pleasing
Striving to please people can lead us away from God's will and into compromise. It may cause us to dilute the truth, avoid confronting sin, or conform to ungodly practices to maintain favor with others. This behavior not only undermines our witness but also hinders our spiritual growth and effectiveness in ministry.
Paul experienced much opposition and persecution because he chose to please God rather than men. He recalls this persecution:
“[2] But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. [3] For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: [4] But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:2-4
This steadfast commitment, despite the difficulty, serves as a model for us to follow, demonstrating that pleasing God should always take precedence, regardless of the consequences.
Serving Others Through Serving Christ
While we are not called to be people pleasers, we are commanded to serve others out of love and for their edification. The distinction lies in our motivation: we serve others not to gain their approval or to “keep them happy”, but to honor God, reflect Christ's love, and help them grow in the truth. We see this pattern in Romans and First Corinthians:
“[1] We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. [2] Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. [3] For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.” – Romans 15:1-3
“[31] Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. [32] Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: [33] Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31-33
Serving others in this way involves selflessness and a desire to build them up in faith, aligning our actions with God's purposes. In this context, pleasing others is connected to seeking their ultimate good – their salvation and spiritual growth – which glorifies God.
Serving with Sincerity and Integrity
Our service to others should be characterized by sincerity, integrity, and a genuine heart for God's will. In our various roles – whether as employees, family members, or ministers of reconciliation – we are to work diligently as to the Lord.
Colossians 3:23-24 exhorts: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” This perspective transforms our service into acts of worship and obedience, detached from the need for human recognition or approval.
Furthermore, Ephesians 6:6-7 advises us to act: “Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men.” Our focus should be on fulfilling God's will wholeheartedly, motivated by the constraining love of Christ and trusting that He sees and rewards our faithful service.
Strength and Focus in Service
Staying true to serving Christ over pleasing people also requires spiritual strength and focus. Paul encourages Timothy in this regard in 2 Timothy 2:3-4: “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” We are called to endure challenges and avoid distractions, keeping our aim fixed on pleasing God and fighting the fight that truly matters.
Conclusion
Our devotion and obedience to God should supersede everything else. While we are to love and serve others, our actions should stem from a desire to honor God and promote His truth, rather than seeking human approval. By aligning our hearts and minds with the truth of God and relying on His strength, we can serve faithfully and effectively, bringing glory to His name and impacting lives for eternity despite the momentary discomfort we may face by not gaining man’s worldly approval.
As Paul succinctly puts it in Galatians 1:10, serving Christ leaves no room for being a people pleaser. Let us, therefore, commit ourselves to serving God wholeheartedly, trusting that His approval is of far greater worth than any praise the world can offer.
