Janelle Esker Oh dear! Today, we will talk about people pleasing, idolatry, and the fruit of the Spirit. How’s that for a loaded topic? Adjusting our thoughts and actions to please another human being is rooted in an incomplete understanding of our identity in Christ. At worst, it is a form of idolatry. That said, People Pleasing Is Not A Fruit Of The Spirit.
Let’s start with what the Bible says about people pleasing in Galatians 1:10. 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. The apostle Paul is speaking this to himself and others. One of the things I love about Paul is his transparency about his struggles in living out the gospel in everyday life. If I were to guess, this is a problem for most believers. Seeking the approval of others can cause us to sin. The root cause of approval-seeking can range from pride to fear.
In my own life, I confess this has been a real problem that God has continued to convict me of. The need for approval has caused me to “straight-up” lie to people mostly out of the sin of pride through self-protecting. There is no getting around what Paul says, “If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” I don’t know about you but this verse seems harsh at first glance until the Holy Spirit works in our hearts and whispers this is actually about love. It is a challenge to love God more and soak in the love of God toward us.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love,
joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;
against such things, there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
People Pleasing Is Not A Fruit Of The Spirit
What are some honest ways we can please God?
- 1 Thessalonians 2:4 But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
- Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
- Romans 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
- Romans 8:8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
- Proverbs 16:7 When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
- John 8:29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.
- 1 John 3:22 And whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
- Galatians 1:10 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.
- Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
- Hebrews 13:16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
- Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
- Romans 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
- John 5:30 I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.
Here is the good news!
You are not alone in your journey to please God. As we just read in John 5:30 we can do nothing on our own. Take a moment to pray and ask God to give you these things. Ask the Holy Spirit to convict you when you make a mistake and sin. Jesus is our ever-present help in times of trouble! We will never be alone again!
YOUR TURN…
What is the most difficult aspect of people pleasing for you to break?
Peacefully Yours,
Janelle
