Seek to Please God
Scripture Reading - Galatians 1:10-12 KJV
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.
11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Generally speaking we (ihlcc) take a situation we have dealt with or are currently observing and share it with others through the principles of God’s Word. Today, we are shedding a little light on those who seek to “please men” because we are dealing with two totally separate people who are stumbling over the same stumbling block. The stumbling block they are striving with is, “Does following God require that I get along well with key people in my life?” On the surface many people would say, “Oh no brother follow God at all cost” because the first quick common response would be from the word of God found in Matthew 10:37-38 KJV which states, “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” Yes, it is easy to see that God desires for you to follow Him over other people as His Will for all His children, this cannot be denied. We will even take this one step further by looking at the scripture in Matthew 16:24 KJV which states, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” This verse tells us that we must be willing to deny ourselves when it comes to following God’s Will. Herein lies a problem because many people don’t mind following God when they agree to distance themselves from certain people. However, we have found it not so easy to distance yourself from someone you love and respected. People commonly think they can have it both ways in the sense of “pleasing God and pleasing men” but dear faith friend it just doesn’t work that way. You must be prepared spiritually, mentally and physically to forsake anyone and everyone who hinders your walk with Christ. Although many will say but I love my mother I would never forsake her they are also saying, without realizing it, I will not completely follow God in this area because I don’t have to and I don’t want to. Yes, this same principle is true when it comes to heartfelt issues like how do we handle the children when there is strife between a parent and child? The correct answer is we should handle them as God handles them in Love and in Truth, without fear or complication. This is why we thought it good to share God’s Word on the subject because the scripture in Romans 12:18-21 KJV states, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” This is a wisdom scripture which means you need to understand the verses to correctly apply them. The wisdom we are speaking of is knowing exactly where your level of peace is at when dealing with others. This means if your heart is in disagreement with a love one close to you, family member or close friend and you both agree to disagree without offense by degrading the other person you both can please God first and be pleasing each other because you are mature enough to understand your relationship is more important than your doctrine. However, if you and the other person are at odds to the place of offense being obvious it is better to depart from each other until both parties agree to put aside the differences by fellowshipping around God’s Will and God’s Love above all other opinions of men. For example, if a believer choses to please his wife over what he believes to be right in his heart then that man is being a “man pleaser”. If an adult child of God choses to follow the counsel of their parent over what they believe is right before God in their heart they too are being a “man pleaser”. Thirdly, if a mother decides to follow the plan of her child over what she believes is right in her heart she too is looking to “please man” over God. Remember, you can’t always have it both ways unless all parties involved are godly and mature in Christ Jesus because then those people will be motivated by love, so selfish carnal arguments are less likely to happen. In our own case (ihlcc) we try to remain in a favorable position with all our family, friends and love ones but we have had to stand our ground on certain issues to remain faithful to God and our conscience. This stance to do what is right did cause some separation for a season but more often than not when we stood our ground they respected our decision much later so no permanent damage was done. What we are basically saying is to not be a “man pleaser” but rather a “God pleaser” which means you follow God’s Word, God’s Love and your conscience concerning following God first to understand what you need to do next. If you are confident in your convictions don’t allow other men to persuade you differently. Check your heart and mind to consider if you are in peace or turmoil because if you are trying to “please” both there is a strong likelihood that you are seeking to “please men” over God. Be willing to forsake certain relationship that are not producing the fruit of the Holy Spirit and be willing to deny yourself when you say things like, “I just can’t say no to my mother because God tells me to love her.” Yes, we love everyone but we surely don’t obey everyone. Yes, we fellowship with God first to properly understand exactly how much fellowship we should have with others. Yes, some will say, “I just don’t think you need to be that spiritual, just do what others want to keep a good relationship with them.” This might be a solution for less strife but we (ihlcc) can promise you it is unscriptural which means it is ungodly. No, dear beloved faith friend, no man should be on even par with God your Heavenly Father or your personal Savoir Jesus Christ. No man should be exalted over your God and your fellowship with Him. Therefore being a “man pleaser” is a choice and all those who truly love God and His Word will make the correct choice of seeking to “please God” even at the expense of “displeasing other men” whenever necessary. Remember Colossians 3:17 KJV which states, “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” So seeking to “please God first” is your salvation and peace whereas seeking to “please man” over your heart’s convictions is your frustration and failure. Trying to “please others” is futile because at the end of the day people who are with you (for you) will always be for you when they are walking in God’s Love and all those who are against you shall be against you still no matter what position you take because they are choosing to operate outside of God’s Love. Therefore be persuaded by your Heavenly Father God’s Love for you and remain content is Christ Jesus alone, for you are created to “please God” and praise His Holy Name. Amen!