Pleasing God or Man?

“For am I now seeking the favor of men or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ Galatians 1:10.”

When does representing God suddenly become about doing what pleases man? This question has me staring at the computer. I think for me, the tell if I am striving for man and not for God, is my stress level. My God is not a hard taskmaster Who demands perfection. Perfectionism is something that evil demands. God works in our weak areas to improve and develop us into a humble, loving soul. It is curious though how many critical spirits proclaim Christ. Maybe that is why many of us are scared, to be honest about our inadequacies. As one of my students reminds me every week, “I don’t want to look weak, and then someone mocks me for it.” I love her honesty because let’s put it on the line. For most of us, that is why we are trying to please man. It’s the bully in the room that might make us feel stupid or pathetic.

God has had this conversation with me over and over again. Every time I think I have this issue neat and tidy with a bow on top, it pops up in another area of my life. When it does present itself, God has me redefine how I am viewing success. Let me cut to the chase. For Christ-followers, success should be that we were obedient. Period! If our purpose becomes about how many likes, comments, prayers, words of affirmation, or lives changed, then we have lost focus. That is a foothold that Satan will take full advantage of to confuse the mission. Isaiah 2:22 God reminds us, “Stop regarding man, whose breath of life is in his nostrils; For why should he be esteemed?”

So the next time, stress has you to the point of insanity, step back, and reexamine what God is actually asking from you. You might find out that your obedience was the assignment. All the other extracurricular stuff was to impress yourself, possibly others. Did you know our God tells us that we can ask for His wisdom and He will give it generously and without reproach? Hold close this reminder that God loves us, and Satan demeans us. Satan, I am done acknowledging your hate!

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L. Kathleen Cline

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