Pleasing Who?
- Laurie Williams
- Feb 6
- 2 min read
"But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts]" (Gal. 5:16, Amp).
Some people seem to spend a great portion of their lives trying to please other people or to make them happy. These are known as 'people pleasers'. On the other side of the spectrum there are those who seek only to please themselves and what they desire. These are known to be self-absorbed in the 'all about me syndrome'. Then there are the rare ones that are not on any human spectrum or scale of pleasing, they are on a spiritual scale of pleasing only the Lord God. Have you ever really thought about who you are spending your time pleasing?
As I was reading and studying (John 8:21-30), the account where Jesus is trying to convince the Jewish people and leaders who He really was, I focused in on vv. 28 & 29.
So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man [on the cross], you will know then [without any doubt] that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own authority, but I say these things just as My Father taught Me. And He who sent Me is [always] with Me; He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him” John 8:28-29, Amp). In verse 28, Jesus said, "My Father taught Me." I then thought and said out loud, "Father, teach me, too." In verse 29, Jesus tells us that the Father never left Him alone because He always does what pleases Him. I then said aloud, "Father never leave me alone, I will always strive to do what pleases You!" This caused me to spend time reflecting on my own life. What do I do to always please God? Do my thoughts please Him? Do my words please Him? Do my actions please Him? Does my lifestyle please Him? This was quite a humbling experience of reflection. I highly encourage you to think about pleasing God rather than other people or yourself. There are many scriptures throughout the Bible that encourage us, as believers, to please God.
"Finally, believers, we ask and admonish you in the Lord Jesus, that you follow the instruction that you received from us about how you ought to walk and please God (just as you are actually doing) and that you excel even more and more [pursuing a life of purpose and living in a way that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation]" (1 Thes. 4:1, Amp).
May you be encouraged to think, say, and do all that will please the Lord God not self or others. Be willing to reflect Christ in your life and you will indeed please the Father.
Father, we praise You. May we concentrate on pleasing only You, not other people nor ourselves. Father, help us to reflect Christ in all aspects of our lives so we may please You. Thank You Jesus for allowing us to follow You and to reflect You along the way. May we be pleasing in Your sight. In Christ, Amen.
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