Memorise: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 1st Thessalonians 2:4
Read: Acts 4:15-20 (KJV)
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
Bible in one year:
Judges 17-18,
Ezekiel 27:1-25,
Hymn:
Sing hymn 10
Message:
One of the most important responsibilities of leaders is to make the people they lead happy by providing an enabling environment for peace and prosperity.
A leader who listens to the yearnings and aspirations of his people and tries to provide solutions to their problems is usually loved, while any leader who fails to satisfy the common interest of the people, even for the best reasons, is generally condemned. Therefore, leaders at every level of human endeavour have perfected the art of pleasing the people they lead in order to continually earn their approval and to keep enjoying the power, wealth and influence made available by their office. However, the Bible admonishes Christians in general and those in position of authority in particular to reject the temptation of becoming pleasers of men. 1st Thessalonians 2:4 says:
“But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.”
We see from this scripture that God expects all Christians to view every opportunity to influence others as a divine responsibility that has a divine purpose. Therefore, we are to do all things to the glory of God with the consciousness that we owe our allegiance to Him and not to any human being. For this reason, the Holy Spirit says in Psalm 75:6-7:
“For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”
Pleasing people involves making every effort to do whatever they want in order to win their approval, even when such actions are contrary to God’s commandments. Pleasing people requires eye service, insincerity, self-centeredness and godlessness. Men pleasers have an insatiable appetite for money and power, and they can mortgage the future of the people they lead to achieve their selfish ambitions. Anyone who is obsessed with pleasing people will unconsciously begin to work against God’s purpose until he or she becomes an enemy of God. Paul came to this conclusion in Galatians 1:10, saying:
“For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”
Aaron, King Saul and Herod are examples of leaders who were committed to pleasing people in order to win their approval, without much consideration for the will and commandments of God (Exodus 32, 1st Samuel 15, Acts 12:20-23). Unfortunately, they all got punished for their evil actions. I pray that every tendency to be a people-pleaser will be completely removed from your life today in Jesus’ Name.
Prayer Point
Father, please let my focus be centred on pleasing You in all things in Jesus’ Name.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional Lessons was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical Churches in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.
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