“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.”
— Galatians 1:10 (KJV)
In a world driven by likes, applause, and acceptance, it is easy to fall into the trap of seeking validation from people. But Paul, the apostle, draws a clear line in Galatians 1:10: a true servant of Christ cannot be a people-pleaser. Why? Because the ways of God and the ways of the world are often at odds.
To please men means to shape your life, your values, and even your message according to what others want to hear — often at the cost of truth and righteousness. But pleasing God demands surrender, courage, and faithfulness, even when it earns you rejection.
Jesus Himself said in John 15:19 (KJV):
“If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”
When you pursue the will of God, do not expect universal applause. Men may misunderstand you, ridicule you, or oppose you. This is because the natural person—the one without the Spirit of God—cannot understand the things of God. Paul explains this in 1 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV):
“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
This means that the life you live in Christ — a life of holiness, truth, and eternal purpose — will often be seen as strange or offensive to those who walk according to the flesh. But do not be discouraged.
Persecution, misunderstanding, and rejection are not signs that you are failing — they are often evidence that you are walking in truth. The apostles, the prophets, and even Christ Himself were persecuted for standing firm in God’s will. Yet, they stood boldly, knowing that their reward was not in the acceptance of men, but in the favor of God.
Joshua 1:9 (KJV) reminds us:
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
Let this truth anchor your heart: The approval of God is worth more than the applause of a thousand men.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for choosing me to be your servant. Help me to live boldly for You, not swayed by the opinions or approval of people. Teach me to value Your truth above worldly acceptance. When persecution comes, strengthen my heart. When rejection comes, remind me that You were rejected first. Let me walk in courage, guided by Your Spirit and rooted in the eternal hope I have in Christ.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Related Bible Verses:
-
Romans 12:2
-
Matthew 5:11–12
-
2 Timothy 3:12
-
Proverbs 29:25
RELATED DEVOTIONAL
5 May, 2025
Live for God, not for the approval of man
“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.”
— Galatians 1:10 (KJV)
In a world driven by likes, applause, and acceptance, it is easy to fall into the trap of seeking validation from people. But Paul, the apostle, draws a clear line in Galatians 1:10: a true servant of Christ cannot be a people-pleaser. Why? Because the ways of God and the ways of the world are often at odds.
To please men means to shape your life, your values, and even your message according to what others want to hear — often at the cost of truth and righteousness. But pleasing God demands surrender, courage, and faithfulness, even when it earns you rejection.
Jesus Himself said in John 15:19 (KJV):
“If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”
When you pursue the will of God, do not expect universal applause. Men may misunderstand you, ridicule you, or oppose you. This is because the natural person—the one without the Spirit of God—cannot understand the things of God. Paul explains this in 1 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV):
“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
This means that the life you live in Christ — a life of holiness, truth, and eternal purpose — will often be seen as strange or offensive to those who walk according to the flesh. But do not be discouraged.
Persecution, misunderstanding, and rejection are not signs that you are failing — they are often evidence that you are walking in truth. The apostles, the prophets, and even Christ Himself were persecuted for standing firm in God’s will. Yet, they stood boldly, knowing that their reward was not in the acceptance of men, but in the favor of God.
Joshua 1:9 (KJV) reminds us:
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
Let this truth anchor your heart: The approval of God is worth more than the applause of a thousand men.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for choosing me to be your servant. Help me to live boldly for You, not swayed by the opinions or approval of people. Teach me to value Your truth above worldly acceptance. When persecution comes, strengthen my heart. When rejection comes, remind me that You were rejected first. Let me walk in courage, guided by Your Spirit and rooted in the eternal hope I have in Christ.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Related Bible Verses:
-
Romans 12:2
-
Matthew 5:11–12
-
2 Timothy 3:12
-
Proverbs 29:25
