Pleasing God Through People-Influencing: A Christian Perspective on People-Pleasing

People-Pleasing That Pleases God

Have you ever felt like you're walking on eggshells around people, trying to do everything in your power to make them happy? Do you find yourself saying "yes" to everything, even when it's not what you want to do? People-pleasing is not uncommon, but it's not always viewed positively. However, what if I told you that people-pleasing can actually please God?

The Negative Connotation of People-Pleasing

When we hear the term "people-pleasing," we often associate it with negative connotations. We may think of someone who is a pushover, who compromises their beliefs, or who is simply trying to manipulate others. However, people-pleasing does not have to be a negative thing.

The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:33, "I try to please everyone in everything I do." Notice that he did not say he pleases everyone, but rather he tries to please everyone. This means that he put effort into pleasing others, but he did not compromise his beliefs or values to do so. In verse 31, he gives the reason for his people-pleasing: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

As Christians, our ultimate goal is to bring glory to God in everything we do. If we are people-pleasing in a way that brings glory to God, then it is not a negative thing.

People-Pleasing vs. People-Influencing

It's important to differentiate between people-pleasing and people-influencing. People-pleasing is when we seek to make others happy, even if it means compromising our beliefs or values. People-influencing, on the other hand, is when we seek to make a positive impact on others without compromising our beliefs or values.

Paul was a great example of someone who was a people-influencer. He sought to make a positive impact on others without compromising his beliefs or values. He wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:22, "I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some." He adapted to the culture and customs of those he was trying to reach, but he did not compromise his beliefs or values in the process.

People-influencing is not about pleasing others, but about being a positive influence on them. It's about being a light in a dark world, and showing others the love of Christ.

The Bible's View on Pleasing Others

The Bible has much to say about pleasing others. In Romans 12:18, we are told, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." This means that we should strive to get along with others, and not be the cause of conflict. We should seek to live in peace with others, even if it means putting aside our own desires or preferences.

In Galatians 6:2, we are instructed to "carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This means that we should help others when they are in need, and support them in their struggles. We should be there for others, even if it means sacrificing our own time or resources.

Colossians 3:23-24 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward." This means that we should work hard and give our best effort in everything we do, not just to please others, but to please God.

The Danger of People-Pleasing

While people-pleasing can be a positive thing when done for the right reasons, there is also a danger in it. When we focus too much on pleasing others, we can lose sight of our own beliefs, values, and convictions. We may compromise our own integrity and become a people-pleaser instead of a people-influencer.

In Galatians 1:10, Paul writes, "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." Paul recognized that his ultimate goal was to please God, not people. If he was focused on pleasing people, he would not be fulfilling his role as a servant of Christ.

It's important to remember that our ultimate goal as Christians is to please God, not people. While it's important to get along with others and be a positive influence on them, we should never compromise our beliefs or values to do so.

Conclusion

People-pleasing can be a positive thing when done for the right reasons. When we seek to please others in a way that brings glory to God and does not compromise our beliefs or values, we can be a positive influence on others. However, we must be careful not to become a people-pleaser and lose sight of our ultimate goal as Christians: to please God.

Let us strive to be people-influencers, not people-pleasers. Let us seek to make a positive impact on others without compromising our beliefs or values. And let us always remember that our ultimate goal is to bring glory to God in everything we do.