Enjoy Life, Enjoy God
PEOPLE PLEASING
December 16, 2011
It's good to be liked by others, and to want to please people...up to a point!
On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed--God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from any human being...
--1 Thessalonians 2:4-6 TNIV
Paul certainly wanted to please the Thessalonians, to be winsome, and woo them deeper into a vibrant discipleship. However, not at the cost of displeasing God. That's a hard proposition. Encourage people who often want, demand, that which is quite contrary to what God wants. Ultimately, Paul has to be faithful in his life and ministry to his Lord.
People-pleasing can derail us from faithfulness. Certainly our goal is not to be people-offenders, but there is no compromise on God-pleasing. How would your day be different than yesterday, if your ultimate goal were to please God in everything you do?
Joyfully,
Dale Patterson