Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Better to Please God Than Men
Often, I meet an arrogant person who wants to appear superior to others. I feel sorry for them because this mentality exposes their insecurity.
It is clear they have trusted in themselves but it is not working for them. When we place our trust in Christ we have no need to feel superior to others. We know everyone has fallen short of the glory of God and everyone needs a Savior; no one, including ourselves, is above or better than anyone else.
Isaiah 55:8-9
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts."
No person could ever measure up to the mighty Power of Christ so why would we ever feel the need for validation from people?
We love people as Christ loved us but we do not try to win their approval; it is only the approval of Christ we care about.
2 Timothy 2:14-16 "14 Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeed only in leading the listeners to ruin. 15 Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth. 16 But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,…"
Nowhere does God tell us to make every effort to please men.
Galatians 1:9-11 "…9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse! 10 Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. 11 For I certify to you, brothers, that the gospel I preached was not devised by man.…"
It is better to be without friends than to diminish the word of God to keep them.
It is clear they have trusted in themselves but it is not working for them. When we place our trust in Christ we have no need to feel superior to others. We know everyone has fallen short of the glory of God and everyone needs a Savior; no one, including ourselves, is above or better than anyone else.
Isaiah 55:8-9
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts."
No person could ever measure up to the mighty Power of Christ so why would we ever feel the need for validation from people?
We love people as Christ loved us but we do not try to win their approval; it is only the approval of Christ we care about.
2 Timothy 2:14-16 "14 Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeed only in leading the listeners to ruin. 15 Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth. 16 But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,…"
Nowhere does God tell us to make every effort to please men.
Galatians 1:9-11 "…9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse! 10 Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. 11 For I certify to you, brothers, that the gospel I preached was not devised by man.…"
It is better to be without friends than to diminish the word of God to keep them.
Key Phrases here: "for without Me you can do nothing!" And, "He who abides in Me bears much fruit."
When we have trusted in Christ our goal ought to be to seek Him in all things all the time.
Jealousy and Arrogance are Close Cousins
Something I have been encountering in recent years is daughters-in-law speaking against their mother-in-laws, mothers-in-law speaking against the mother of their daughter-in-law in law to be seen as the preferred person in the life of their daughter-in-law.
This problem of jealousy is demonstrated when someone attempts to turn one person against another by deliberately misinterpreting events or words, passing on the misunderstood version to the one they wish to win to their side. causing ill feelings in one person toward another.
Jealousy and arrogance are close cousins, the jealousy being ill feelings toward someone for having the ear of another person, and the arrogance that they should be superior and preferred over the other person.
This is exactly the same tactic the devil used in the garden when he hated that God loved Adam and Eve. The devil had been banished by God for his wickedness, so in retaliation, he managed to turn the first couple against the very God who created them. This wicked entity, the devil, is still using the same tactics today as he influences many people to disregard and gossip against those of whom they are jealous.
We see this all the time in relationships in our day. God told us it would happen because of the sin in the hearts of people in these end times.
Luke 12:52-53 "…52 From now on, five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
This problem of hatred toward one another because of jealousy ought not to be present with born-again believers. When it is present, it must be called out. The response of the one called out will tell us whether or not they are rebellious or contrite.
A contrite heart will feel badly and confess their sin, but a rebellious person will justify themselves, lie and say they didn't act certain ways, blame others and refuse to change their behavior. In fact the rebellious one will make sure the gossip flies against the one who called them out to repent.
Micah 7:6
"For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies are the members of his own household."
Matthew 24:10
"At that time many will fall away and will betray and hate one another,"
Satan will make sure that the anger and contempt in the heart of the gossiper will become so hardened that there is no way to resolve it but to walk away.
John 10:19
"Again there was division among the Jews because of Jesus’ message."
When we walk with Christ and proclaim His truth we will be treated just like He was treated when He told the truth.
Sadly, Christ came to save mankind from their sin and from hell and yet they were so hardened that they killed Him for His effort to show grace to them.
Jealousy is a very strange animal, instead of enjoying the blessings of others and sharing in the joy of someone else, the jealous one hates those who have something they do not have.
Taking away someone else's blessing of a relationship by turning one person against another is a very common and favorite tactic of the devil. He is using this tactic every day with those who have no defenses against him.
We are living in the days like those of Noah when people have given themselves over to selfishness and worldliness. It is rare now to find a friend who is genuinely happy for someone else and dedicated to their friend.
Thankfully, we can still love, we can refuse to become like the world around us as we educate ourselves on whom to trust and who not to trust. The Holy Spirit must be our guide in all things. It is easy to be fooled by those who regularly practice the sweet/mean cycle. In other words they are friendly to suck us in and once our guard is down they revert to their old nasty self again.
Jeremiah 9:4-5
“Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity."
This is why I am dedicated to keeping my focus on Christ while knowing the tricks of the devil so that I will not be sucked into his tricks.
It is vitally important that we do not allow the schemes of ungodly people to influence us to be like them. When we become accustomed to a culture, eventually we will act like that culture even without realizing it.
1 Corinthians 15:33 "
"Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”
James 1:27
"27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."
1 John 2:15-17
"Do Not Love the World
15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God continues to live forever."
Romans 12:2
"2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
Satan will throw many things on us to derail our walk with Christ. We must know God's Word well, repeat it often and walk in it daily to keep from being tainted by his evil.
This problem of jealousy is demonstrated when someone attempts to turn one person against another by deliberately misinterpreting events or words, passing on the misunderstood version to the one they wish to win to their side. causing ill feelings in one person toward another.
Jealousy and arrogance are close cousins, the jealousy being ill feelings toward someone for having the ear of another person, and the arrogance that they should be superior and preferred over the other person.
This is exactly the same tactic the devil used in the garden when he hated that God loved Adam and Eve. The devil had been banished by God for his wickedness, so in retaliation, he managed to turn the first couple against the very God who created them. This wicked entity, the devil, is still using the same tactics today as he influences many people to disregard and gossip against those of whom they are jealous.
We see this all the time in relationships in our day. God told us it would happen because of the sin in the hearts of people in these end times.
Luke 12:52-53 "…52 From now on, five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
This problem of hatred toward one another because of jealousy ought not to be present with born-again believers. When it is present, it must be called out. The response of the one called out will tell us whether or not they are rebellious or contrite.
A contrite heart will feel badly and confess their sin, but a rebellious person will justify themselves, lie and say they didn't act certain ways, blame others and refuse to change their behavior. In fact the rebellious one will make sure the gossip flies against the one who called them out to repent.
Micah 7:6
"For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies are the members of his own household."
Matthew 24:10
"At that time many will fall away and will betray and hate one another,"
Satan will make sure that the anger and contempt in the heart of the gossiper will become so hardened that there is no way to resolve it but to walk away.
John 10:19
"Again there was division among the Jews because of Jesus’ message."
When we walk with Christ and proclaim His truth we will be treated just like He was treated when He told the truth.
Sadly, Christ came to save mankind from their sin and from hell and yet they were so hardened that they killed Him for His effort to show grace to them.
Jealousy is a very strange animal, instead of enjoying the blessings of others and sharing in the joy of someone else, the jealous one hates those who have something they do not have.
Taking away someone else's blessing of a relationship by turning one person against another is a very common and favorite tactic of the devil. He is using this tactic every day with those who have no defenses against him.
We are living in the days like those of Noah when people have given themselves over to selfishness and worldliness. It is rare now to find a friend who is genuinely happy for someone else and dedicated to their friend.
Thankfully, we can still love, we can refuse to become like the world around us as we educate ourselves on whom to trust and who not to trust. The Holy Spirit must be our guide in all things. It is easy to be fooled by those who regularly practice the sweet/mean cycle. In other words they are friendly to suck us in and once our guard is down they revert to their old nasty self again.
Jeremiah 9:4-5
“Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity."
This is why I am dedicated to keeping my focus on Christ while knowing the tricks of the devil so that I will not be sucked into his tricks.
It is vitally important that we do not allow the schemes of ungodly people to influence us to be like them. When we become accustomed to a culture, eventually we will act like that culture even without realizing it.
1 Corinthians 15:33 "
"Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”
James 1:27
"27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."
1 John 2:15-17
"Do Not Love the World
15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God continues to live forever."
Romans 12:2
"2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
Satan will throw many things on us to derail our walk with Christ. We must know God's Word well, repeat it often and walk in it daily to keep from being tainted by his evil.
Confession is Just as Important as Forgiveness
When we do things God's way, it brings fruit and reconciliation. When we do things man's way, nothing good is accomplished, and often sin is coddled and allowed to grow.
Luke 17:3-4 "…3 Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” "
It is important not to miss the words "if he sins against you, rebuke him" and "if he comes and says, 'I repent,' forgive him.
Confession of sin is just as important as forgiveness; they are both necessary to reconcile a relationship. Without the confession, there is just enabling that causes evil to grow worse and conscience to be seared.
If we care about the offender, we tell them the offense and require a contrite heart to reconcile.
Our desire should never be just to feel peaceful while running from needed discussions that can resolve things.
There are those who have proven to be so unreasonable in their responses to the mildest challenges that we know an attempt at reconciliation through confession is impossible; this problem of arrogance and lack of humility is growing in our culture.
It is human nature to do the easy thing and just let everything go. But God's way is that we do the hard work of reconciliation that not only resolves things but grows people closer than if they had never resolved it and pretended it didn't happen.
The important thing to remember is that humility is required in both the offender and the offended. When this happens, relationships grow together in holiness and strength of character.
May we surround ourselves with people who think Biblically and are dedicated to quality relationships rather than superficial ones.
Luke 17:3-4 "…3 Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” "
It is important not to miss the words "if he sins against you, rebuke him" and "if he comes and says, 'I repent,' forgive him.
Confession of sin is just as important as forgiveness; they are both necessary to reconcile a relationship. Without the confession, there is just enabling that causes evil to grow worse and conscience to be seared.
If we care about the offender, we tell them the offense and require a contrite heart to reconcile.
Our desire should never be just to feel peaceful while running from needed discussions that can resolve things.
There are those who have proven to be so unreasonable in their responses to the mildest challenges that we know an attempt at reconciliation through confession is impossible; this problem of arrogance and lack of humility is growing in our culture.
It is human nature to do the easy thing and just let everything go. But God's way is that we do the hard work of reconciliation that not only resolves things but grows people closer than if they had never resolved it and pretended it didn't happen.
The important thing to remember is that humility is required in both the offender and the offended. When this happens, relationships grow together in holiness and strength of character.
May we surround ourselves with people who think Biblically and are dedicated to quality relationships rather than superficial ones.
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