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Monday,
November 12, 2007
People Pleasers
2
Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare
ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves
by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. (KJV)
Many
ministries and ministers base their success on how well they stack up with
other ministries. Some base their accomplishments on how many followers
they have, using the term one of the fastest growing ministries today. But
which way are they heading, what are they using for their measuring stick,
is it based on the word of God, or the world and its way of marketing? If
you think you can please man and God at the same time, then you need to
take a closer look at the word of God and heed the warning. Because in the
end it is not any minister or ministry you will have to stand before and
give account of your life too.
Luke
6:26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their
fathers to the false prophets. (KJV)
The
fastest growing ministry, pillars of the community, or as one advertisement
I saw, the friendliest church in town. Watch out Church, you can please God
and you can please man, but those that truly seek the Lord and are willing
to speak on His behalf, will find they can’t do both at the same time.
Luke
16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before
men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among
men is abomination in the sight of God. (KJV)
Ever
see the marketing strategies of the world, the commercials where they
interview certain hand-picked people that will promote their product and
like puppets will say whatever makes them look good? So, now we have this
mindset in the so called church. Ministries doing the same thing to promote
their organization, rather than letting the word of God and their walk do
the speaking for them. People pleasing, ear tickling, money grubbing
hucksters, who profess to know God but in works deny Him, and are in for a
rude awakening come the day of judgment.
Galatians
1:10-12 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. But I certify
you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For
I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the
revelation of Jesus Christ. (KJV)
Have
you ever thought, I wish I could be like Paul, that I could see the things
he saw, and write the things he wrote, and be used of God the way he was?
Many picture the ministry as being of life on easy street, preach a sermon
here and there, visit some sick people occasionally, and to be looked up at
as some wonderful person, someone loved and cherished by all. To who much
is given much is expected, and with the revelation of Jesus Christ, not
only comes God’s stamp of approval, but you also become a target of the
enemy, and are now entering a whole different realm. Simply put, for those
that come to a working knowledge of Jesus Christ and the mystery of the
gospel, this is what I refer to as a reality check, will your check bounce,
or be approved?
1Thessalonians
2:4-6 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. For
neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of
covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you,
nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of
Christ. (KJV)
Do
you wish to be used of God more, to be able to speak and teach His word
effectively? The reason many are ineffective and fall short of the glory of
God, is they are not willing to speak the truth and sound doctrine which
will enable the people to be set free, but rather are more interested in
building up numbers and outward appearances, which is an abomination in the
sight of God. So will you be a burden to the body of Christ, or a blessing,
it all depends on whose approval you are truly seeking.
2
Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (KJV)
You
can fool man, as many false prophets have, but you will never fool God. So
quit fooling around and get your priorities in order if you truly plan on
spending an eternity with Him.
John
5:41-44 I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the
love of God in you. I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not:
if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye
believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that
cometh from God only? (KJV)
If
you need a pat on the back from someone else, or if you are looking for the
approval of some big name preacher, you need to truly rethink your
priorities and ask yourself honestly, am I really doing this to please God,
or is there someone else I am seeking honour from, someone else I am
holding in higher esteem than our Father in heaven?
John
12:42-43 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but
because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put
out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise
of God. (KJV)
Don’t
take it personal if you are not welcome at certain organizations that claim
to be of God, because you have chosen to please Him rather than man. I have
found for myself that the more I know the truth, the more it contradicts
the doctrines of man and their people pleasing methods. Oh by the way,
still interested in the position Paul held, which he ended up losing his
life for? Don’t forget to read the disclaimer, the fine print before making
the decision; because if the truth be known, the more he was used of God,
the more he was abused of man. Still interested, let me give you a brief
job description before you decide that you to would like to be used of God
as well.
2
Corinthians 11:23-28 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am
more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more
frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes
save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I
suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In
journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by
mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in
perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false
brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and
thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that
are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
(KJV)
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