The Problem with Trying to Please People Over God
There are a few passages in the Bible that talk about pleasing people over God. These passages are important because it is a big problem among Christians when they listen to people over God. In 1 Thessalonians 2:4, Paul states that:
“But we speak the Good News because God tested us and trusted us to do it. When we speak, we are not trying to please people, but God, who tests our hearts.”
Paul was trying to stress that the gospel was the precious treasure that had been entrusted to him by God. It was his responsibility to please God by his faithful proclamation of the message. It is difficult to please both God and man. Our primary goal is to honor God, who knows our inner motivations, rather than seeking popularity or favor from humans. When we listen to God, who may test us, we will receive God’s divine approval and may be rewarded by Him instead of receiving the reward of human praise.
Paul did not want to please people for his own gain, but wanted solely to serve God and to seek His approval and not people's because if he aimed to please men, he would not be a true servant of Christ’s (Galatians 1:10). Trying to please people over God can cause us to compromise the gospel. We see it in churches today when they put their own meaning to the gospel to please its members’ sinful desires or to support their own beliefs so they can continue to live in sin.
It is easy to fear people because we can see them and we do not want to cause conflict. Maybe we chose our family and friends over God. However, look at Proverbs 29:25, it says, “being afraid of people can get you into trouble, but if you trust the Lord, you will be safe.” God is our safe place we can turn to when we fear people. It will not always be easy to trust in what the Bible says since we struggle with sin. Nevertheless, with God’s help we will be able to stand up for the gospel even if we struggle to choose to listen to God over people.
Here are some Bible passages to turn to when we struggle with listening to people over God:
“Trust the Lord with all your heart, and don’t depend on your own understanding. Remember the Lord in all you do, and he will give you success.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
“I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13
“Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” – Jeremiah 29:12
These Bible passages are there to encourage us to pray, to provide a way to seek God's path, and to help us remember His promises for strength and peace in our ongoing struggle to do what God calls us to do.
Prayer for the day:
Dear heavenly Father,
You are our source of comfort and strength when we struggle with fear and disobedience. Please provide us with the ability to do what You tell us since the power of the gospel has the capability to change people. Please give us the courage to tell others about Jesus since He is the only way to heaven. In His name we pray, Amen!
