The appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. (1 Thessalonians 2:3-6)
Do you know any people pleasers? I do. Me! I hate to admit it, but I like to please people. I like it when people praise me and say I do a good job. I bet you do too. Are you a people pleaser?
Paul lists off the symptoms of people pleasing. “Error or impure motives”—do you do things that look good on the outside only to get your way? “Trick you”—do you make promises you’ll never fulfill to keep other people happy? “Flattery”—do you butter people up with your words, even when what you’re saying isn’t true? “A mask to cover up greed”—do you put on a good face to hide your true desires?
That’s quite a list, isn’t it? We’re people pleasers. Every one of us uses sinful gimmicks to please people.
Here’s the problem: Life isn’t about pleasing people. It’s about pleasing God. Have you learned that lesson? It isn’t other people’s opinions that matter most. It’s God’s! It isn’t other people’s wills and wishes that we live for. It’s God’s! That’s why Paul wrote, “We are not trying to please people but God.”
That’s actually great news, because the Bible tells us an amazing thing about getting God’s approval. We don’t have to win it. We don’t have to do all the right things to get God to approve of us. Do you know where God’s approval comes from? Faith in Jesus. God “tests our hearts.” He looks for hearts that trust in Jesus as our Savior. By faith, do you know what God thinks of you? He approves. He approves 100%!
That’s what leads us to serve other people. Not because we’re desperate to please them, but because we’re filled with God’s grace and forgiveness. God pleasers love to share the good news of God’s grace.
Dear God, forgive us for putting so much more effort into pleasing other people than into pleasing you. Thank you for graciously approving of us through Christ. Help us live to please you. Amen.
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