Those of us who live for the approval of others are not led but driven. We have submitted to our perfectionist demands so that people will like us. Now it is difficult to hear God’s Word when He desires to guide us on to the path of truth.
God created us to live for Him and has a specific plan for each of us. When our conscience is shaped by a wounded spirit, we will find we are constantly looking for affirmation and mechanically acting out of people pleasing motives, rather than behaving out of love that pleases God.
Am I now trying to get people to think well of me? Or do I want God to think well of me? Am I trying to please people? If I were, I would not be serving Christ. (Galatians 1:10 NIRV).
Here are some things we think or say that indicate people pleasing is likely active in our lives:
1. We try to be who others want us to be.
2. We are afraid to rock the boat by sharing our thoughts.
3. It is hard for us to decide what we want.
4. We avoid speaking our minds.
5. We find it easier to go along with what someone else
wants or just agree with their opinion.
6. It is difficult for us to say “No”.
7. We try to be ‘nice’ rather than expressing how we
really feel.
Work at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord, not for human masters. Work because you know that you will finally receive as a reward what the Lord wants you to have. (Colossians 3:23-24a NIRV)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Please give me the desire and the will to be a doer of Your word so that my conscience may be reprogrammed with truth. I want to follow Your ways and live by Your principles in all my affairs. Amen
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