The Despair In People Pleasing

April 26, 2021

for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

~John 12:43~

Many a times we tend to look to the ones around us for acceptance or appreciation. We walk through life afraid of being our true selves Jesus created us to be in fear of what others may think or say. This begins of course the moment we are born into this world, we strive for total acceptance from our mother and father. When this doesn't happen, rejection pierces our hearts and causes a cluster of damaging factors; fear, depression, anxiety, confusion and addiction to name a few. These can be spiritual strongholds that enter through as a result of an open door that the enemy looks for in all of us.

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."

(I Peter 5:8)

Our soul longs for recognition from others. Our spirit lingers in the midst waiting for God. "A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, But to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet." (Proverbs 27:7)

As we continue to feed our soulish desire for wordly acceptance, we will not be capable of truely living in peace or enjoying anything that comes our way. God is waiting for us to set aside our concern for what others may think and look to Him. For it is far easier on our total being as God already loves and is willing to accept all of us! There is no need to work our way for God to look at us with a smile. "In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him." (I John 4:9)

Jesus is telling His disciples that there is no need to love the praise of men; for this reason many churches are shutting down, many christians are wavering in faith and some are even changing what they believe to be "acceptable to God," to gain members.

We must ask ourselves, who would we rather offend; God or men? One day we will all enter into judgement and that will be a time we cannot turn back to repentance. God will mention all the things we went to men for, all the idle words we spoke, all the finger pointing, judgement calls and the times we may have shunned a true believer to please a non believer. We will answer for all choices we make. "Judge not, that you be not judged." (Matthew 7:1)

Jesus is warning us how it ended for these Pharisees who chose to receive praise from men over God. People pleasing is something the enemy directs us to as he sits and laughs at us for the distraction that it brings. When we can walk through life only looking to please God, we will accomplish great things for the Kingdom and we will feel more at peace knowing that God sees us as we are.

"Is not God in the height of heaven? And see the highest stars, how lofty they are!"

(Job 22:12)

God certainly knows exactly who we are and what we were made for. As we align ourselves up to Him and the needs of Jesus through us, we will not have to be concerned about being accepted, praised or looked to by others. We will know that we are doing what we are supposed to and the reward will come from heaven, there is nothing greater then that which comes from God. "Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward." (Hebrews 10:35)

Often times others will promise to do something for us but are very capable of just not doing that which was spoken. Who is more faithful to us, people or Jesus?

"If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself." (II Timothy 2:13)

People have the ability to lie and cheat, Jesus does not. I know the one purpose people tend to fall into the trap of pleasing men over God is because they cannot see Jesus as one sees the person in front of them. The honest truth is we are all capable of being closer to the Lord and feeling His presence stronger each day. We must sacrifice our time, strength and labor to Him. Blessings can only come from Him, if we are not feeling, hearing or seeing His presence in our lives; perhaps God is saying "spend more time with me, put aside your desire to please others and come into My Presence." He is long awaiting all of us to have communion with Him each day so that He may show us that with Him we can have true rest and security. "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

(Matthew 11:28)

We live in a time where so many are looking for praise of men over praise of God and we see people becoming oppressed, lost and unaware of Holy Spirit's gifts because of this purpose. Let us look to Jesus for praise because He is already waiting to show us who we really are. Let us not conform to the image the world is asking us to be but be transformed to Christ; "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2)

God is searching for Kingdom workers to stand up and fight the works of the enemy while declaring victory in Christ boldly. Without being cautious what others may think or say; as Holy Spirot tells us to move, we shall move! Time is short. God is waiting for us to honor Him and following the Lord as who He made us to be!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for creating me as who I am. Thank you for loving and accepting me as I partner with You to do heaven's work. I have no need to please others, rather just be a blessing to them for Your praise. If there is any area in which I am looking to men over You, please show me and help me in strength to stop doing so. I pray that more of God's children look to praise You and step away from people pleasing all together. I rebuke the enemy's tactic of getting me to care what others may think or feel of me, I reject his lies and his accusations in Jesus Name. I receive blessings from my Father as I work beside my King of Kings declaring victory and helping to set captives free. I give thanks and praise to You, as I grow each moment spiritually cultivating the gifts You have in my life. It is in Your amazing Name I pray and rejoice, Jesus Christ. Amen.