A PLEASING CHOICE
I ran into a former lecturer of mine a few days back and I remembered how much I stressed myself during my last semester to please him. He was a Senior lecturer with a lot of clout and everyone, including me, wanted to be in his good books.
I am very good at record keeping and typing and so I made it to being one of his favorite assistants. Then he became demanding. Ahhh. I was almost a secretary.
He would say: “young lady, read this.” Or “young lady, type that.” Or “young lady go and deliver these and those.”
I would type lecture notes, speeches, proposals and go on errands. At a point my academic work started suffering and then my spiritual life crashed. I was too tired to go for Bible studies or fellowship.
The breaking point was when I had to call him to inform him that I would be late for my daily assignment. I didn’t have enough air time on my phone and so I used roommate’s. He answered and I told him Miss Ononye was on the line. And he went:
“Who? From where?”
I repeated my name again in full “Dumebi Ononye”. He still couldn’t place my name until I said “The young lady that types for you, Sir.”
He says ‘Ohhhhhhhh, young lady is that your name? I had no idea…”
I almost wept. I mean, I had displeased and stressed myself on top this guy’s matter for months and he didn’t even know my name. To him, I was just another ‘young lady’. That did it. I never resumed ‘work’ after that. I faced my studies squarely and worked on my spiritual life and graduated with excellent grades. Praise God.
It is human nature to want to please other people. Some have a bad case of it though. We want to be accepted and loved by all. Sadly, we cannot please two masters. You can love people but you can’t go all out to please them all. Of course this does not mean that we go out of our way to displease people or be offensive to them. The point is to be true to God and the gospel even if it means upsetting people. Galatians 1:10 says it all.
Charles Spurgeon said “This shall be an infallible to you concerning anyone’s ministry: if it man praising and man-honouring, it is not of God.”
I have come to realize that I cannot constantly worry about what others think of me and that an overwhelming need to please others is a form of slavery. I should be serving and loving God to the best of my ability. People may cast judgment on me, but their judgment doesn’t really matter. HIS DOES!
Ethel Barret once wrote- we should worry less about what others think of us if we realized how seldom they do. Pleasing people just frustrates you somehow. What pleased people last month will infuriate them today. Imagine how enslaving it is to try and please people-especially people who don’t often think of you.
When we decide to please the Lord rather than people, God blesses us in the sight of people. Proverbs 16:7 tells us that when the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, He causes their enemies to make peace with them. If we realized how often Jesus thinks of us, we would be absorbed with thinking of Him.
When pleasing man means displeasing God, it’s an unqualified evil and should have no place in the Christian’s heart.
Posted on May 19, 2014, in Dear Jesus and tagged Choices, Godly living, Pleasing God. Bookmark the permalink. 60 Comments.
Ezar's Chronicles 
If we would please God—we must be zealous in his cause. God identifies himself with his cause on earth. His honor is involved in it. He glorifies himself by it.
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What do you allow to define you—the Word of God, or the norms and values of this world? Are you more concerned with being celebrated in the world’s eyes rather than developing love, faith, and godly character? Are your motives coming from a place of wanting to please God or please yourself? These are questions all of us must ask ourselves as we examine our lives and the plans, purposes, and pursuits we have in life.
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I don’t care who you are, everyone must choose sides in life if you are to please God. Most professed Christians in the world are fence-straddlers, that is, they are trying to live for God and mammon at the same time. The Bible warns that it cannot be done. Every Christian must take sides! Taking sides often means offending someone. It’s inevitable! Anytime you take sides;Biblically, morally, philosophically, doctrinally, religiously or in a debated matter, someone is going to dislike you. Thus, taking sides means losing some fans. Taking sides means losing some money. Taking sides means losing some business. Taking sides means losing some followers. Taking sides means losing some members. Taking sides means losing some popularity. Taking sides means offending those who hold the opposing view. Taking sides means choosing sides! God tells us in Revelation 3:15-16, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” God dislikes fence-straddlers. A lot of people have splinters of wood in their posterior from straddling-the-fence for so many years. It’s time to get off the fence! Make a pleasing choice.
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I was reading through and loved your comment, David. God bless you for it. Like i tell the women in church, mature christians DO RIGHT just because it’s right. It’s not always easy, nor fun to do the right thing. In fact, a lot of times it’s difficult and costs you something. The Christian life is likened to shoveling sand, that is, it’s not complicated, it’s just hard work. If you take a stand for God you’ll likely lose popularity. You’ll likely lose money. You’ll likely lose favor. Once upon a time in America it was right to be a heterosexual, but now it’s wrong to oppose homosexual lifestyle. As man’s standards change, Christians are in the battle for our lives in America. Thankfully, God is still on His throne and that means we ought to pray like never before for God’s will to be done in our lives.
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Take Delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
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Ezar,the world in general is seeking to please man, not God. Look at the politician. Most of them are saying the things that they think you want to hear. Not too concerned with their ability to keep their promises. We MUST abandon the idea of pleasing man, even our families, even ourself. We must act on a higher motive than pleasing man.
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People already know what you are. As of this moment, you are already declaring, by your life, who you please. Your life is preaching your sermon. Your actions declare who is your master. Your decisions proclaim who you serve. What is your message? Nice piece, Ezar.
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Be a Christian that God saved you to be. Hv a blessed and God pleasing week, My Ezar.
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Truly Ezar, one lesson every Christian needs to learn, and learn soon, is this: just who are we seeking to please? There are only two options here: men or God. To please the one means you cannot please the other. It is that simple. Yet far too many believers nd Christian workers think they can somehow coddle up to both. We see this so often in what comes out of so many pulpits today. The temptation to tickle the ears of the listeners, and offer them what they want to hear instead of need to hear is all too common. But Scripture warns us often about seeking to please men instead of pleasing God.
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A lot of modern-day preachers and tele-evangelists come to mind after reading ur comment, Ayomide. How Paul would shudder if he saw the theatrics and smooth-as-silk messages of so many Christian celebrity preachers today. He would be aghast at how the praise and worship of men seems to characterise so many current big time preachers.
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As innnnnnnn, I feel u Dum. Some lecturers are like that. They only know you when they have a deadline they cant meet. after that, they start giving u attitude. I used to do that too. My head was corrected in time. love u dear.
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We must give up the vain idea of trying to please everybody. That is impossible, and the attempt is a mere waste of time. We must be content to walk in Christ’s steps, and let the world say what it likes. SIMPLE
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Very inspiring post. Kudos. I have learnt a thing or two or maybe three from this.
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I can’t state how right you are. This is exactly my issue with the ‘tolerance message’. I’m all for tolerance and all but when tolerance is defined as agreeing with ‘everything’ we are dished even when it blatantly contradicts scripture, there is a problem. I don’t discuss or argue religion in certain quarters but when it comes up, if by all means I must say something, I had better say what He says. Jesus knew we would have this issue and that’s probably why He admonished us not to be afraid of those who can kill the body but of God who is able to throw both body and soul in Gehenna- Luke 12:4, Matthew 10:28
Everyday, in different parts of the world, florists and cake makers are losing court cases because they won’t service gay weddings; employers are being sued for not funding their employees’ abortions (as stated in the health insurance plan), employees are getting fired for not lying and covering up the company’s dirty linen…and on.
When David said I will not give to my God that which costs me nothing, we often think it is about money or material sacrifices but today and increasingly, in the years to come, YA FAITH’S GONNA COST YA! Enjoy it.
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Miss August,ur comment is great.We live in a morally deficient world where a true Christian should dare to be different,no matter whose toes u are stepping on.
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Did not Moses say to d children of Israel wen they made d golden calf,who is on d Lords side?-Ex 32:26.I choose to be a levite,today’s levite for the Lord,in d face of idolatry dat we see in different forms,including man worship by men-pleasers.
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Idolatry is not only wen we worship idols/images/saints,it is wen we put anyone or anything first b4 d Lord.Wen we choose to put man first(including our Overseers)before God,we become idolaters.By this definitn,men-pleasers who put man first b4 God are IDOLATER!Lord Jesus,u are my NUMBER ONE!
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The Lord revealed to us dat man-worship has become more prominent than idolatry in our time.Brethren be warned!Make sure u are not a man-worshipper,a man-pleaser.Be a God-worshipper!
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Theres another subtle enemy called SELF.Self pleasers are worse than men-pleasers.For d former,the world revolves around them,to please themselves…lovers of pleasure nd not lovers of God(2 Tim 3:1-5),having a form of godliness,but denying d power thereof:frm such turn away.
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Ezar,once i was like u.I wasnt trying to please my lecturer,but a husband who didnt appreciate me no matter how hard i tried.I lived under his bondage until i lost my identity nd human rights.However,one day like Esau,i became restless nd threw his yoke frm off my neck(Gen 27:40).Now i live for Jesus,with my allegiance first to Him.
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@Helen..tanx for speaking out.Many wives find themselves in d same shoes u once wore,living under d burdensome yoke of a husbands dat are difficult to please,even in d name of submission.Frm dat scripture,they have hope,with u as a living witness.Halleluyah!!!
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Husbands,be careful how u play god nd demand worship frm ur wives,making them to put u first b4 God through ‘abused’ authority/submission terror in ur homes.If u dont stop now,u will only find urselves fighting against God!
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To please man is another modern-day slavery…d fear of man is a snare…is slavery! I AM DELIVERED,oh,praise the Lord with meooooo.
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For years i was enslaved to a friend..i gave more than i received from this relationship.Peer pressure made me to have a best friend like others.But d demands are much..i became enslaved to avoid being labelled a failure.I think i wanted d relationship more than my friend.One day wen i weighed d merits nd d demerits of our friendship,i found out dat d latter outweighed d former.I made d choice to call it quits,considering d fact dat he was not a believer.Initially,it wasn’t easy,but by God’s grace,i pulled through.Now i am free to serve God without fear,esp d fear of man.
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To walk with purpose nd zeal as a Christian,u dont need a ‘Lot’ as a companion.A friend might not love d Lord enough to please Him as u would do.Of a truth,salvation is personal,no strings/apron-strings attached.
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I remember many years ago wen i drew d line b/w my relationship with my Lord nd unbelieving parents.You can imagine d persecution dat i suffered,but I held tightly on d Lord.Later in life,both parents gave their lives to Christ.Glory be to God.
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True Christians are not men-pleasers…True or False?
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@Chidinma…100%True,not all of d above.
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I am a radical,fanatical pleaser of my Lord.Who cares about d frown of man,if my Lord gives me a sweet smile of approval? MORE THAN ANYONE,I LOVE yOU MY LORD JESUS.Thrown kisses frm me.
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A witch/wizard is not only d one dat flies in d night,but anyone who manipulates u against ur will,to please her/him rather than God,nd includes parents,elders,church leaders,friends,employers,siblings….etc.ARE YOU A WITCH/WIZARD?Don’t violate d will of ur neighbour to please u rather than God.
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Beware,traditions nd cultures can fight ur zeal to please God….let them not affect ur choice to please God!
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Good post for a life-changing decision dat i am about to make Heavenward.A new relationship with a guy is threatening my close walk with God.One thing is to avoid completely an unbeliever.Another danger is to date a lukewarm Christian dat is neither here or there….i can understand those dat are not there yet but are hungry for God.This post has helped me to make an eternal decision dat will save my soul…..Today,I have called it quits with Charles….hv since notified him.Now i am free to please my Master along with the person i was made from his rib dat will come my way at His timing.
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This is a difficult time/a perilous time to be a Christian,with the dazzling world dat contends with our faith to gratify flesh/self.Lord help me to choose You nd please You at any level of d temptation dat confronts me.
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So much carnality in d Church today!They that walk in d flesh cannot please God( Romans 8:5-8).
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Moses made the right choice,choosing rather to be mistreated along with d people of God,than to enjoy d pleasures of sin for a short time.Don’t sell ur Christian birthright for THE PLEASURES OF SIN,for the pleasures of pre-marital sex!
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Biodun,i feel uoooo.Preach on!Sin, no matter its pleasures,can NEVER please God.Flee every appearance of sin/evil to please d Master.
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In d face of any trial dat demands my choice,i always remember dat inspiring hymn of old…STAND UP,STAND UP FOR JESUS,ye soldiers of d Cross.We dare not fail Him on d day of reckoning!In standing up 4 Him,He is well pleased with us,……perhaps boasting publicly,”This is my beloved son/daughter in whom i am well pleased!”
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True liberation after d liberation from satan,is d liberation from self,nd then,d liberation from man.Our Lord Jesus has done d first for us.For d 2nd & 3rd,we are to put them under by d power of d Holy Spirit.Unless u do it,ur allegiance to the Lord is not complete.Do it now nd be free to serve d Lord unto all pleasing.
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@Ayomide+Chuks….i agree with u.In d Church of Christ today,we see the Church leaders trying to please nd keep their members.On the other hand,we also see members in most congregation of d saints seeking to please their overseers/pastors,to curry their favour.In this pathetic scenario,the Lord is shut out of His Church.What a terrible disconnect,with terrible consequences!
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By His grace,i chose early in my Christian life not to be a man/pastor pleaser.Because of my choice,men of God see me as an their enemy nd treat me as such.Only d Love of my Jesus constrains me to remain in my Church.Do u know what it means not to be in d ‘good’book of ur pastor?Total ex-communiction!You also become d object of their sermons….’The itk( I Too Know)Christians’.Ko easyoooo,but His grace is sufficient.
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Amarachi,i can identify with u,but the only difference is dat I left my Church for another,to face again a similar pastor.Theres a high price to pay to remain true to d Lord.The persecution from d pastors nd Church members in their clique is unbelievable nd unbearable.But d Bible tells me,Count it all joy!
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What of the homefront,with unbelieving spouses who willing join d accuser of d brethren to accuse nd mock u anytime u want to please the Lord?Ur in-laws will also join uninvited,to scorn u.Hear them,’if other Christians are doing it,why are u different?Why carry d Bible on ur Head?’May God comfort nd streghthen Christians being persecuted for righteousness sake,Amen.
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The one i cant stand is d scorn on d faces of in-laws that demand the worship they dont deserve.You can never PLEASE them no matter how hard u try.Woe betide u if ur spouse is on their side to demand ur legitimate right to please them at all cost or else……….
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Concerning my in-laws who were difficult to please,i made up my mind to RESPECT them,though respect is reciprocal.But to ‘baale’ b4 them in worship,i vowed not to anymore.Initially it was terrible for me as i suffered d ostracization dat nearly cost me my marriage.B/c i pleased the Lord in this matter,He made them to be at peace with me.It pays to please God ,even in d thick of persecution.With time they accept u 4 who u are.I AM FREE!
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Once upon a time as a young Christian,i was contented with only going to Heaven.I was not ready to give up ‘mySELF’in order to please my Saviour.Didnt bother about my prayerlife,my studylife,my fellowship with d brethren.I found joy doing those things that gratified d flesh,but didnt have eternal value.I was in bondage to self…was sitting on d fence,neither here nor there.It was a loving encounter with d Lord dat melted my heart nd made me vow to please d Lord as long as i have my breath.Thank u Lord Jesus for not giving up on me!
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Anyone who will live Godly,pleasing His Master,must SUFFER persecution.I neva join believers who sing d song-‘Me i no go suffer…’ No Cross,No Crown’.
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I rem wen i gave my life to Christ,i was so happy nd wanted to share my joy with my parents.Wen i told them,they wrote me a sticker nd warned me never to write them my epistles from Paul.Apparently,they were members of the Knight of St Christopher,but without Christ.However,my Dad,also a freemason then,gave his life 2 Christ after confessing that d Archbishop of Canterbury at d time of his death,was also a freemason.My father has since gone home to be with d Lord.Thank God i persevered nd did not deny d Lord,Through my perseverance to please d Lord,they gave their life to Christ.How wonderful!Never,never,deny our Saviour.He is worth dying for.
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Faith,dat was a wonderful story indeed.May it abound to ur account in Heaven.U will not meet d Lord empty handed,having shown ur parents d path of life dat leads to Heaven.Kudos.
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It is high time Christians like me come out of hiding,to identity with my Saviour,nd please Him alone who died my death dat I may live His life.Its gross ingratitude if I deny Him b4 men.God forbid.
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I have a pastor who blacklisted me b/c i refused to worship him.I am on his reject list,nd dat means i cant reach him in my hour of need.Who will believe dat my pastor is UNREACHABLE,nd dat I can access my Father in Heaven easier nd faster than my pastor?That is d price i am paying to please my Master,nd not my Pastor.Is my Pastor not playing God?Watch out..u might be on ur pastors reject list.
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Men of old knew how to please God…they were willing to die than to recant their faith b4 d ‘Boko Haram’s in their days.They didnt mind d torture 4 a better resurrection.If we lose our life,we find it,but if we save our life,we lose it anyhow.May God help us.
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In our zealousness to serve d Lord,how many can confess Christ before Boko Haram?I guess some of d Chibok girls confessed Christ nd were killed.Their leader didnt tell us,but only told us of those dat renounced Christianity for Islam.
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