Please God, not people
When we focus on pleasing the people around us or not offending them, we aren’t focused on what God wants. We can’t be, because what people want and what God want are going to be in constant conflict with one another.
Focusing on pleasing God is a daily posture of surrender to His will over our own — and over the will of people around us. Don’t be like the Pharisees and be so focused on the things of this world that they missed heaven.
23 Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”
24 Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25 John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?”
They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”
27 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”
Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. (Matthew 21:23–27)
#peoplepleasing #pleasegod #godswill #biblestudy #dailydevotional
NOTE: I am still fasting from social media consumption, including viewing any likes, comments, or messages. I’ll be back to talk after Easter!
In my personal journey, I have found that the struggle between seeking approval from others and following God’s will is a constant one. It’s easy to fall into the trap of people-pleasing because it offers immediate social acceptance and avoids conflict. However, this often leaves us feeling anxious and disconnected from our true purpose. Over time, I learned that prioritizing God’s desires over the opinions of people brought a greater sense of peace and direction in my life. The example from Matthew 21:23–27 highlights how Jesus faced opposition from religious leaders who were more concerned about public opinion than spiritual truth. This reminds me that even when standing for what is right, we may face misunderstanding or criticism. I try to adopt a daily posture of surrender — aligning my actions with God’s will rather than trying to satisfy everyone around me. This doesn’t mean being insensitive but choosing integrity over approval. When I meditate on passages like this one and focus on God’s guidance, fear of rejection diminishes. Practicing this mindset also improves my relationships by allowing me to be authentic instead of a chameleon trying to fit every situation. It’s not easy, and I occasionally slip back into the people-pleasing cycle, but prayer, scripture reading, and reflection help me realign. If you struggle with this too, consider journaling your thoughts on where you might be prioritizing others over God and ask for strength to shift your focus. Remember, the judgment of people is fleeting, but pleasing God leads to eternal fulfillment and clarity of purpose.
Amen 🙏🏼. Seek Jesus first