Who are you really seeking to please?

For am I now seeking the favor of people, or of God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10

Are you aware of your own motivations throughout your day? How many of your motivations come from your ‘daily maintenance’ in serving yourself, doing things that feed your ‘comfort’, and how many of your motivations are truly out of your desire to follow the Holy Spirit’s instructions personally given to you? How much do you work at pleasing others or the people you come in contact with during the day? I’m not suggesting you be rude or inconsiderate to others but those actions which keep you from being truthful and genuine in relationship, so as to ‘please’ others, or ‘keep the peace’. Do you work hard at being ‘seen’ by others as hardworking, or intelligent, or worthy of your friendship? Do your efforts keep you from being truthful or honest with them? Are you more concerned what others think of you rather than what God thinks of your actions and words, and your devotion to Him?

Do you ever ask the Holy Spirit to reveal your real motivations? Do they mostly stem from fear, or lust (desire for more control or things), or pride? How much of your motivation is driven from your ‘inner’ conversations with the Holy Spirit?

“The one who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and the one who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” Matthew 10:37

These family connections are the closest relationships we have and even in the OT ten commandments God tells us to ‘honor our father and mother’ (Exodus 20:12). Yet Jesus refocuses our heart priorities to put those relationships into the correct priority of our lives. We can easily put our children above our relationship with God, yet this is exactly what Jesus is calling out as … incorrect. How are we doing that exactly? That is the question you should be asking the Holy Spirit. Are you working hard to please them… and yet you don’t give God a second thought in your day of what He wants? How is your daily inner conversation with the Holy Spirit? Are you always ‘listening’ for His voice? Are you asking Him questions about decisions you have to make, as to which way is correct?

Every morning when you get up – are you thinking about how you can please your Lord / Master … Jesus?

Who’s day is it? Is this the day the Lord has given you? Who will you live for?

In light of eternity – how precious is this day, to be used and invested for Him?

Can you say with ease every morning … “I love you Jesus. Come Holy Spirit and guide me, and tell me what you want me to do.” Then do you have the self-control to wait for His reply? While waiting do you automatically begin to worship and adore Him, telling Him how much you love Him? Can you easily launch into thanksgiving and gratitude for all He has done and given you?

The Lamb is worthy of all praise.

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought for a price: therefore glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20