How to Please God Above Man - The Crosswalk Devotional - January 29
How to Please God Above Man
By Kelly Balarie
Bible Reading
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot.” – Eccl. 3:1-2 NIV
I knew if I gave in, the argument would be over. Yet, I also knew if I said, "You're right," I'd be lying.
In reality, there is a difference between people-pleasing and peace-making. They are not always one and the same.
In the past, I'd be inclined to lie to keep the peace. I'd be inclined to brush things under the carpet of don't-lift-up-the-corner-of-this-rug for anything—to keep everyone happy. I'd be inclined to adapt to make sure everyone is okay.
This is not biblical love, but it verges more towards manipulative love. Appeasing man is not always the same as pleasing the Lord. We must be careful here.
There is a time for everything under the sun.
“There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot…” (Eccl. 3:1-2)
There is a time to speak truth and a time to be quiet. There is a time to bring clarity and a time to listen. There is a time to defend and a time to back off. There is a time to pray, and there is a time to say things.
Jesus didn't always back away; sometimes He spoke truth. He called out the Pharisees and told them the truth when they fought Him (Matt. 23:27-28). He said, "Forgive them" aloud when He was being crucified (Luke 23:34). He addressed the Pharisees' lack of mercy with a straightforward address (Matt. 23:23). He powerfully used His words and actions to drive the merchants out of the temple (Matt. 21:12-13).
The list goes on and on... Jesus did not always stay silent.
To turn the other cheek does not always mean taking it...
There is a time to speak up. There is a time to not fear man. There is a time to tell the truth.
The key is to pray and discern what God would have you do (Eph. 5:17).
Sometimes things never change because we never change our approach. Sometimes ruts continue because we don't trust God to equip us with the right words. Sometimes habits continue because we fear man more than we believe God will help us.
Don't mistake fear of man for fear of the Lord. The Lord may have you speak up louder than the fear of man has ever permitted you to. This is not unbiblical; it may be monumental in your walk with the Lord.
The answer is not always silence. Sometimes, the way that most pleases God is speaking up. Wisdom is knowing the difference.
Lying is sinning, even if it is pursuing peace-making. The question is—how do we be true, while being godly and loving? Sometimes, this requires pausing to seek God for what needs to be said. Other times, it may require praying to get a couple of levels deeper than what is on the surface.
The ultimate key is to respond to a person from God's will and not to react from our own.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How do you tend to react? Do you negate your feelings? Do you cover the truth to keep peace? How might God be leading you in a new direction?
Join the conversation! Share how today’s devotional encouraged or challenged you in your walk with Christ.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Tutye
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