The word for 2021-05-01

About wanting to please people (1)

"Fear of men can set traps…" Proverbs 29:25

To secure victory in battle, King Saul had to wait for the prophet Samuel to come and offer a sacrifice to God. But as the day wore on and the people became impatient, Saul himself offered the sacrifice. When Samuel demanded to know why, Saul replied: "When I saw that the people were leaving me and dispersing, and that you yourself did not come at the appointed time, and that the Philistines were gathered in Michmash, I thought, 'Now the Philistines are coming down on me. in Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord. So I took courage and brought the burnt offering. '

Samuel said, 'You have behaved foolishly! If you had kept the commandment that the Lord your God has given you, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not stand. The Lord has chosen a man after his own heart. He hath made him prince over his people, because thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD. '"(1 Samuel 13: 11-14)

Because Saul needed the recognition of the people, he lost everything. Telling the truth may not be easy or comfortable, but the Bible tells us to do it anyway - just as Samuel did. People who want to please others are actually dishonest because they tell others what they want to hear, instead of what you need to say.

Now do not be rude or insensitive, but do not be intimidated by it. Because someone does not want to hear the truth, do not compromise your responsibility to express it. Have you ever felt uncomfortable about something someone asked you to do? One of the ways God guides us is through a sense of inner peace. Isaiah says you will be led forward in peace. (See Isaiah 55:12) And Paul writes, "Pursue... Things that bring peace." (Rom 14:19) When something does not feel right, open your mouth. Say, "I have no peace in this."

People should not expect you to continue until you experience peace, but it happens that others make demands on us. Jesus said to his disciples, "But if any man will not receive you, nor hear your message, leave that house or city, and shake off the dust of your feet." (Matthew 10:14) When a person's reaction threatens to stop you from doing what you know is right - it's time to shake it off and move on.