Finally, we have the remedy for People Pleasing
(reminder, credit is the book People Pleasing by Lou Priolo.)
Characteristics of a God-pleaser
- He realizes that he cannot please God apart from being a Christian. (Rom. 8:8-9)
- He studies the Scriptures to understand exactly what it takes to please God. (Ps. 119:97-100; Eph. 5:9-10)
- In everything he does, he is conscious of pleasing God. (Col. 3:2)
- When he pleases people, he does so out of loving motives, not selfish ones. (Matt. 22:39)
- He knows that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)
- He considers amending not only his actions, but also his thoughts and motives. (1 Sam. 16:7; Lk. 11:39-40)
- He is concerned about fulfilling not only his public duties but also his private ones. (Ps. 101:2)
- He is more concerned with what God sees in his heart than what man sees in his appearance.
- He programs his conscience by the Bible rather than by the culture. (Heb. 5:14)
- He does not shy away from necessary conflict or confrontation. (Prov. 28:33)
- He does not worry or fret when he displeases people if, by so doing, he pleases God. (Matt. 6:33; Eph. 4:29)
How to please God
- Pleasing God requires faith. (Heb. 11:5-6)
- Pleasing God requires walking with Him. (Gen. 5:22-24; Heb. 11:5-6)
- Pleasing God requires sanctification (holiness.) (1 Thess. 4:1-3)
- Pleasing God requires your cooperation. (Phil. 2:12-13)
- Pleasing God requires doing good works. (Col. 1:9-10)
- Pleasing God requires knowledge and wisdom. (Lk. 11:28; Col. 1:9-10)
- Pleasing God requires gratitude (worship.) (Heb. 12:28, 13:15-16)
- Pleasing God requires Godly ambition. (2 Cor. 5:9-10)
Sadly, I cannot share the entire book with you, but I highly recommend reading it for yourself. It goes into much more depth and includes observations about replacing pride with the cloak of humility.
Laura started attending Lehigh Valley Baptist Church as a child when her family moved to the area. For years, her primary passion was in nursing and furthering her education. In the midst of pursuing a medical degree, God changed her plans and she married Jonathan Snow (read their story here). Now, she has discovered a special fulfillment from being a wife and a mother! Truly, God’s ways are always for our good and for His glory.