Gal. 1:10 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.

Gal 1:10  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.

Paul’s adversaries accused him of being a men-pleaser, becoming all things to all men, in order to please men. By the rhetorical question here, Paul means to say that his great object was now to “please God.” He desired God’s approval rather than the approval of man. He says if he had pursued that purpose to please people, he would not be a servant of Christ.

Paul’s statement implies that if a man makes it his aim to please people, or if this is the purpose for which he lives and acts, and if he shapes his conduct with reference to that, he cannot be a Christian or a servant of Christ.

What is a servant? A servant serves his master. A servant obeys the commands of his master. Therefore, a Christian who claims to be a servant of Jesus Christ must act in such a way as to obey the commands of Christ. His conduct, preaching, doctrine, and worship must be in line with the commandments of Christ. One is either a true servant of Christ or he is servant of the devil. He cannot claim to be a preacher of the gospel of Christ while preaching a different doctrine (Gal 1:6-9).

The apostles show us the correct way to stand up for Jesus by seeking only the approval of God and not man. While threatened with their lives, they boldly said: “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

The Holy Scripture warns us against pleasing men. It forbids man to think of men beyond that which are written (1 Cor 4:6). It warns man not to add or take away anything from the commandments of God (Rev 22:18-19; Deut 4:2).

Unfortunately, many love the praises of their fellowmen. While there may be exceptions, the rule is we enjoy being complimented or honoured. But there are follies and dangers of trying to please men.

1. It is impossible to please all men. Remember what a multitude you have to please; and when you have pleased some, how many more will still be unpleased. And, even if you have done your best to please some, yet, some will still be displeased. The persons who have benefitted will praise you but those who have been left out will not. Remember that most men are selfish and covetous. Can you please them all the time? Their wants will keep on increasing; can you keep up with their desires?  

2. You lose your self-respect. You will be only an instrument for men to use. And they don’t respect such kind of person. You will be branded as one who follows the wind; who does not have a mind of his own; who is afraid of men and will do whatever they ask for.

3. It is self-hurting. Your conscience will haunt you. You know the truth but you are forced to tell a lie instead.

4. It is hurting others and even those whom you love. Some will benefit from a lie that has been told and inevitably, others will suffer for the lie.

5. Character is damaged. It is called moral digression. Most men won’t think highly of such a person. You will be called a liar, a hypocrite, and one who has no backbone. Do men appreciate a men-pleaser; they don’t.

Among some of the leading Pharisees, there was at least intellectual confidence in the claims of Christ, but "they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God," (Jno. 12:43). Our Lord warns: "Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets," (Lk. 6:26). Men-pleasers seek the approval of men above the approval of God.

Every preacher needs to ask himself the question stated in Galatians 1:10. "Do I seek to please men?" Paul responded: "For if I still pleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Get the point? The men-pleaser is not a servant of Christ.

Let everyone who claims to love the Lord and serve Him preaches and believes only the truth. 

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.