A Self-inflicted Prison!

Being a people pleaser is a self-inflicted prison! It locks us up rather than releasing us into our “work of the ministry” (Eph. 4:11 ). 

 I am sure most of us want to be liked, loved, appreciated, and affirmed – yes, even me! There are people who call me everything from a false apostle to an apostolate, and some even accuse me of believing things I don’t believe in. But - I don’t let it get to me! So, do you want to know my secret? I don’t care! That’s my reality. As Winston Churchill said, “ You have enemies? Good! That means you have stood up for something sometime in your life!”    

Anyone who is serving Christ is bound to face opposition at some time in their life. We know Jesus was hated by many who even claimed to know God  - so won’t those of us who follow and serve His purposes also be hated? “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. ( John 15:18)                                                     

Our savior and lord was rejected and hated by many and always will be even though He is full of love, grace, truth, and mercy - he was still accused and condemned. Even though he healed many, the multitude turned against him. Most of us, at least in America, don’t have it that bad yet, but persecution is a severe issue in many countries such as India, Nigeria, etc., and it certainly was for the multitudes of faithful followers of Christ throughout history.

Be assured - you can’t be a man-pleaser if you’re a God-pleaser.  Jesus said, “you can’t serve two masters” (Mat. 6:24 & Luke 16:13). 

Trying not to offend anyone with our convictions is frustrating and exhausting.

We can’t be a man-pleaser who tries to make everyone like us and be happy with us. We must stop man-pleasing and accept the truth that will set us free!

The imprisonment of being a man-pleaser happens because we forget that we have received total approval from the love of Christ! His permission allows us to walk in total freedom (Gal. 5:1).

We are free to know we are not imprisoned by others’ views, opinions, and expectations.

So, let’s stand in faith, love, and joy and obey God who leads us.

 Our security is in His approval. There is no need to be a man-pleaser when you are a God-pleaser!

 “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ” (Gal.1:10).  

© 2022 John P. Kelly