One of the dangerous outcomes of pleasing people more than God is that it will lead us to compromise our faith. And if we continue on this path, we will eventually deny our faith in front of people. Becoming a people-pleaser rather than God-pleaser is not what God has called us to do. Being a God-pleaser means that we put God first and others second. We value our relationship with God more than our relationship with others. After all, if we believe that God is our Savior, Healer, and Provider, would it make sense to put Him first? If we believe God loves and cares for us, would it make sense to love Him first? We have to remind ourselves that God is the giver and sustainer of life. Eventually, we will stand before God and give an account of what we have done on this earth on judgment day. Jesus said in Luke 9:26, "Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man (Jesus) will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels."
Let us not think we will lose our opportunities and respect if we please God more than others. One of Satan's lies is to put fear in our hearts to put God first. Let us not succumb to Satan's lies. God is the only giver of blessings and opportunities. If we put our God first in everything that we do, God will bless and takes care of our needs. One of the college football coaches, Deion Sanders, is known to pray with his players. The critics tried to stop him from praying. However, Deion understands that God is the source of His life. Nothing can stop him from expressing his faith in God, for God is the one who saved him. Deion admitted that a suicide attempt led him to the Lord. God changed his life and gave him the opportunity to coach the University of Colorado footbal team.
Let us become God-pleaser in whatever or wherever we are. God will take care of us if we put Him first, but anyone who puts others first before God will face all kinds of trouble in life.
Ask yourself these questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully and meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speaks to you). Am I a God-pleaser or a people-pleaser? Why is it important to be a God-pleaser? What happens when I put others first before God?
Write down all the worries you face today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, may you give me the courage to put you first in everything I do. Please help me never be ashamed of my faith in you before others, even when it is not popular to do it. Please help me stand for my faith and show others that you are the God who saves me from my sin and gives me eternal life and hope. Thank you for everything that you do in my life. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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