Galatians 1:10

Galatians 1:10 – Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Are you trying to please people or to please God? When asked the question it seems like a no-brainer. Of course our desire as Christians is to please God, and as we look at the big picture it seems like an easy choice. We either want to please the creator of the universe, the Almighty, most Holy, always and forever, never changing God; or to please men, the created being, who is here today and gone tomorrow. It seems like an easy choice, but what do our actions say?

Fear of man is one of the biggest obstacles we face in our lives. Even now as I write this I struggle every day to remember who I am trying to please. We, as men (or women), desire to fit in; we want people to like us. There’s always a struggle for popularity and we, whether we admit it or not, feel that part of success is being popular. This is not always the case.

Success comes, not in how others view you, but in how you view yourself. That is why it is so important to remember who you are trying to please. If you place yourself in the hands of men you will fail. Even if you are “popular” and well liked it will eventually pass; and what then? What will you do when it seems everyone has turned against you? If that is where you find your identity then you will lose the life you have lived. But if you find your identity and purpose in Christ, and trying to please God, you will never lose. Even if the whole world turns on you, God never will. Your identity will be secure for all eternity.

So, are you trying to win the approval of men or of God? Make a point to live for God no matter the cost. If He is for you, nothing can be against you.