There is something in me that makes me want to make people happy, no matter what the situation. Sometimes, that puts me in an awkward situation. That desire to please may not be what God wants me to do because it may not be based in truth, or it may not be what is best for the other person.
Sometimes it can be very minor, like having to say no to a child who would like to do something a friend is doing, but my conviction is that the activity is not God’s best for the child.
Other times, it can be a major, life-changing situation.
Pressure to please can come from not wanting to disappoint someone, or it can happen when we want to fit in with others. No one wants others to dislike them.
As I was preparing for graduation from high school, and determining my next steps, and my parents were helping me with expenses, I wanted to please them. I ended up attending Russell Sage, in their physical therapy program. After one semester I knew it wasn’t the right place for me. My folks weren’t happy with that. I transferred to Maria College for their PT assistant program. By the end of that semester, I knew PT was not for me. I wanted to go to business school. My parents weren’t pleased.
It was a very stressful time for me. I didn’t have Jesus as my Lord and Savior, so that made it more difficult.
I began the next semester at Mildred Elley, and it was the perfect fit for me. The education in accounting gave me a foundation I am still drawing upon over 45 years later.
In as much as that was difficult, the greatest pressure we can have is related to our relationship with Jesus.
Today, with our world accepting so much that is in opposition to Scripture, we are regularly challenged to stand for God, and His holy precepts.
The apostle Paul knew that first hand. In Galatians 1:6-9, we read the account of the confrontation he had when the Galatians were giving in to the temptation to please others, when it was contrary to God:
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.”
Those are very strong words Paul spoke. But God’s gospel cannot be compromised.
We cannot allow our misplaced longing to please others to cause us to compromise God’s Word – truth – in any way.
Galatians 1:10 further establishes why we cannot add to or take away from the Gospel in an attempt to please or appease someone:
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
We must remain committed in our relationship with Jesus, being His true servant. It is a matter of eternal life or eternal death, and we don’t want anyone to live separated from God for eternity.
1 Kings 8:61: “And may your hearts be fully committed to the LORD our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.”
The truth is, when we really love God, we want others to know Him so that they are blessed by Him. Sharing a compromised Gospel is not loving. A compromised Gospel message will not provide a means to God, it only satisfies the flesh. That is deadly – spiritually speaking.
When we allow God to be the central figure in our lives, moment by moment, He helps us stand firm for truth – in a loving and gracious, but firm manner.
Many people I love believe a gospel of works. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not about works, it is about a loving relationship with our Creator. It is about His sacrifice on the cross, and not about anything I can do to bridge the chasm sin created. I cannot do anything that gives support to any religious belief, other than what God’s Word presents. That can sometimes cause stress, but God knows, and helps me through it.
Do you ever find yourself wanting to compromise truth so that someone else is pleased with you? When I am tempted to do so, I ask God to help me, and trust Him as I follow His guidance in the situation.
Living for Jesus, Donna
Extra verses to consider:
John 8:12
Galatians 1:4
2 Timothy 1:12
1 John 4:20
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Copyright 2021 Donna Shappy
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