Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. Galatians 1:10
For many, the things holding them back from giving their best are lack of time, desire, drive, or concern about what other people think. Unfortunately, some of us have become so concerned about what others think and people-pleasing that we neglect time with God and what He calls us to do. If we want to be truly excellent and give God 100%, we have to let go of the opinions of people and our people-pleasing tendencies.
The apostle Paul was laser-focused on serving and pleasing God alone. He wrote about this understanding in Galatians 1:10. He said, “Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” Paul made it clear by his words and actions that he was not living for people's approval. No, he was living to please God. This knowledge informed every decision and step that he took. He was never concerned about what others thought, only Christ. Because of this, he spoke the truth boldly, and he shared his faith without wavering. He lived a life that honored God.
In our world, people-pleasing is tempting, and people-pleasing can keep us from giving God our very best. With so many people and distractions around us, it can be easy to live solely for the approval of the people around us rather than God. We can become so caught up in what others think and their approval that we forget that only one person’s approval matters, and that is God’s. When we live solely for Him, we can have the courage and boldness to take steps and make decisions that align with His kingdom and His will for our lives. When this happens, we live with excellence, giving 100% to God without holding back. Let’s live our lives for an audience of One!
Do you find yourself so concerned about what people think, or are you so consumed with people-pleasing that you have been holding back your best from God? If so, it is time to make some changes. What can you do, beginning today, to let go of what people think about you and your tendencies to people please? Maybe you need to say “no” to some people so that you can live the life that God is calling you to live. But, on the other hand, maybe you need to say “yes” to something God is calling you to do that you know will be unpopular. Whatever the case, determine today to live for an audience of one, the God who created you and gave His all for you.
Galatians 1:1-10 (NLT)
This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead.
All the brothers and sisters here join me in sending this letter to the churches of Galatia.
May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.
Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.
Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.
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