"The Pleasing Battle"

By Zach Wood

Galatians 1:10

Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? 

Or am I  trying to please men?  If I were still trying to please men,

I would not be a servant of Christ.

 

 

Approval.  We all seek it, do we not?  We all seem to seek approval of others before we take action in certain situations and circumstances.  For some, approval is not important for them to gain from others before making a decision.  For others, approval is sought after and chased desperately.

 

Now, wise counsel is a smart way to go, but when we do nothing but seek the approval of others, we end up crossing a line.  God encourages us to gain wise counsel from other people.  Not just any people, but those we look up to and find to be Godly role models.  We all have these people we look up to and constantly desire to glean wisdom from.  However, there must be a point when we go directly to God and wait for His leading alone.  The only supreme Godly counsel we can trust at all times is the counsel of The Word.  God's Word is our only ultimate source of counsel. 

 

So, this being said, who are we trying to please?  Are we desperately always trying to seek the approval of other people?  Much of the time, many of us do.  We are human and we like to ask opinions and insight from friends and family.  I know that I can become very guilty of this when I make decisions.  Sometimes, I get so caught up in what others think of me and I forget to focus more on what God thinks of me and the decision I make.  I know I am not alone in this. 

 

Paul clearly tells us that there is no other Gospel to follow.  He is aware that gaining wisdom from trusted people is a good thing.  However, he also knows that if we get into the battle of pleasing men and trying to please God as well, it is a battle we will lose.  We either seek to win approval from men or from God.  Trying to please everyone just will not happen.  When we focus on pleasing other people, we draw further and further away from Christ.  Our spiritual wisdom and strength begins to diminish.  The only sure way is to seek to please the Author and Creator Himself.  There is just no other way to be truly at peace. 

 

So, where are you in this battle?  Are you finding yourself chasing after the approval of other people day after day, or are you desperately seeking the approval of God?  One way leads to confusion and one way leads to a life of peace.