Are you a pleaser of God or a pleaser of Man?
This question is on my mind often. I think about the actions that guide me through the course of my day and if in the end was it pleasing to God---or not. Man looks on the outside but the Lord checks our hearts.
We constantly need to check our motives:
Do we buy clothes/vehicles/homes/decorate with God in mind or to impress and keep up with our friends (even when we can't afford it)?
What about our families? Do we make choices for them based on pressures from other family members or well-intentioned friends, while suppressing that little voice in our heart, and knowing that is not what we would have really chosen to do?
What about our families? Do we make choices for them based on pressures from other family members or well-intentioned friends, while suppressing that little voice in our heart, and knowing that is not what we would have really chosen to do?
What about when we are with friends? Are we afraid to say the truth sometimes? I know that there is a time to speak and a time to be silent---I am not talking about that. I am talking about sharing God's truth when He makes an opportunity available and not worrying what a person thinks about you.
And how about when we blog?
Are we afraid that if we put up that certain video, or share that particular article that people won't like us, stop following/subscribing to us?
Do we choose things in our life because "everyone else is doing it" and not asking God where He stands on the issue?
I don't think Asa, Josiah or Gideon of the Bible were thinking about those things. They lived boldly for the Lord. Smashing and tearing down altars erected to false gods and building a new one in its place for the Lord.
"Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones and burn their Asherah poles in the fire; cut down the idols of their gods and wipe out their names from those places." Deuteronomy 12:3
They had a spirit of boldness and courage. They were not thwarted nor influenced by pleasing man. That is how I want to live. Smashing and tearing down altars. I am not here to tickle anyone's ears and I do not have the least inkling to do so.
I will share truth here--even if it is hard for you to listen.
God has blessed me with a platform to women here and I must be faithful. I will not let Him down.
He has called me to the task, pray that I would be found faithful.
"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God?
Or am I trying to please men?
If I were still trying to please men,
I would not be a servant of God."
Galations 1:10
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12 comments:
Preach on sister! We are to play to an audience of one. I'd rather please my Lord but I have to admit if I'm not careful I go back to pleasing man. A great reminder ...
Blessings,
Debbie
June, thank you for this post. I found it very encouraging to know your stance on pleasing God. May the Lord give you strength and courage as you continue to grow up in Him.
Phil 4:13
Because He Lives,
Jasmine
Well said...
Have a blessed day,
Laura
Thank you for this wonderful post. When I know that what I do is to please God not men, it takes away the burden of always looking out for what others may say about me or my family. It doesn't matter anymore, I just do what God wants me to do... and it counts as my worship to Him.
Excellent post! I love and appreciate your boldness.
As a recovering people pleaser this post was a great encouragment to press on! :) Thanks for sharing.
June thank you. I used to be so "worried" about pleasing men's flesh. Now I can say "thank YOU Lord" for delivering me some time ago. My Lord is whom I shall please and not worry about "man pleasing".
God has given me a bolness that if I am not careful can seem TOO BOLD. I am misunderstood sometimes when I share Scripture. People think I am judging when in reality it is GOD's Word that is judging....I am only relaying the Scripture. Please keep me in your prayers~it's hard for people to hear the truth. Isn't it?
June you keep doing what God has called you out to do. You are truly an inspiration to me!!!
Dar
Hi June ,
I so agree. I have been know to ruffle a few feathers.
I have enjoyed reading your blog.
Blessings,
Elizabeth
Wow! This was exactly what I needed to hear! Thanks for your posts! They are always encouraging!
thank you for this. after spending a couple weeks on vacation with family, i found myself doubting decisions i've made and convictions i've held, simply because they differ from family members'. i really needed to hear this.
at the same time, there are things that i am unable to specifically blog about because i know that i will seriously offend good friends and family members... i always wonder about people who blog with boldness about topics like birth control, public school or feminism... is it possible that these people come from families that all feel the same about these issues? it's one thing to quietly practice what you believe, but another to confront the norm and advocate something else without seriously offending loved ones.
even as i write this, i realize how it sounds - sometimes there are things that people need to hear, or whatever, but i don't want to cause a major family rift or anything...
This is so timely. I am journeying through my fear of man~for me it concerns what I say (or don't say). *THANK YOU!* always for your encouragement! (((((HUGS))))) sandi
I really needed to hear this. In our current culture, it's so easy to get "caught-up" in following man instead of being bold and following our Savior. Thank you for being bold enough to post this message of wisdom for your readers.
-Lady Rose
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