THE TRAP OF PLEASING OTHERS
“Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety” (Proverbs 29:25 NLT).
As Christians, we tend to make mistakes because we seek acceptance or approval from people we consider important to us such as our partner, family, friends, or co-workers.
However, trying to have everyone “like” you can be a very dangerous trap that can lead you to not only be enslaved by sin, but also it can cause you to completely lose God’s purpose for your life.
As Christians, we know that our behavior and vision of life has been in the process of transformation, we know that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, we know that our tongue is a very dangerous member, and that our thoughts must be taken captive in obedience to Christ.
Nonetheless, because we want to please the people we consider “important, we fall into temptation such as alcohol, curse words, double-meaning jokes, gossip, illicit sex, obscene music, among others.
Why do we do this? We do this because we are afraid of losing a friend or a dating relationship; we are afraid of being criticized by our faith, we are afraid of being looked at as less brave or unpopular.
We must have something very clear, we are not in the world to please people, we are here, and we have been changed to please God only.
“For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:4 NLT).
If we fall in the trap of pleasing others, we will return to being enslaved to things that our Lord Jesus already delivered us from, and we will lose the precious testimony that can save and deliver other people.
“So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law” (Galatians 5:1 NLT).
When we fall into temptation because we want to be “liked” by others, we lose our authority to speak to others about Jesus Christ and his gift of salvation, because the unbelievers judge us more harshly and our bad example drives them away.
On the other hand, if we avoid pleasing others and we behave with integrity and congruency, we will win more souls for Christ, because thanks to our example, our family, friends, and co-workers will approach us seeking that same freedom and we will preach the Word of God.
Remember that when our Lord Jesus gave us freedom, it was so we could live in it. If we are enslaved again, we lose the purpose that was given to us to preach the gospel to all the nations and to make disciples.
Next time you feel pressured to please people, think about your call, think about where the Lord brought you out of, and think about how your example can save others.
There is no safer place for your life than being in the place of pleasing God. Even if people do not like it, you won’t be making a mistake when you decide to submit to God’s Word.
“Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety” (Proverbs 29:25 NLT).
Think about it:
What temptation have you fallen into because you were trying to please others?
What boundaries will you set today to protect your testimony as you avoid trying to please others?
