Philosophy View of Pleasing
Satisfying or appealing.
Biblical View of Pleasing
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight 1 John 3:22 KJV
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God Romans 8:8 KJV
Have you ever been in a situation that you know within your heart you were right or justified in coming to a decision, but it was unfairly resolved just to suit the other party involved and made them feel better about themselves and I suppose more superior?
It is very interesting to see how the Apostle Paul uses the term to describe doing things just to be seen by others:
Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God;... Colossians 3:22 KJV
(Pleasing God not man)
In our society today it is a natural tendency to seek to please other people. We find it harder to focus on pleasing God the One deserving of our allegiance.
When we think of the story of Job, God gave Satan the go ahead to do what he chose to do to him, but as Job suffered he continued to hold on to his faith believing that God had a purpose for his suffering. His wife and friends told him to curse God and die but he however rebuked her because his desire was only to please God the One and Only Creator, not man.
In Matthew 6:1-5 Jesus pointed out a few problems with seeking to please man while pretending to try to please God, he said:
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.
But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.
Matthew 6:1-5 KJV
We can see he made similar references about praying and fasting to gain favor from men (Matthew 6:16 KJV).
Paul himself understood the importance of pleasing God, not man. “But as we have been appointed by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tries our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:4).
When we think about it, the Bible said in all our ways we should acknowledge him, it is then we should recognize and understand that God is the ultimate source of all the good things we have received, even in the things that comes through families, spouses, friends and other people as that is how he chooses to deliver his blessings for the most part. God deserves all our Praise, Honor and Worship.
1 John 3:1 Highlighted that God has given us all our blessings; He has given us life itself, we have been so blessed that he offers us eternal life and are called children of God
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore, the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (1 John 3:1)
I love the book of Psalms, one reason being, each time King David had a shortcoming or sinned he acknowledged it and repented making his ways pleasing to God not man. Here we can see an example from King David’s writing,
I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.
Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. (Psalm 145:2-3 KJV).
Even the angels gladly does this. Revelation describes the 24 elders casting their crowns before God’s throne and saying,
“Thou art worthy”, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created
(Revelation 4:11KJV).
The most beautiful thing is that when we repent of our sins , this pleases God. How do we repent? We “Repent by acknowledging what we did wrong and asking God to forgive us then eventually taking steps to baptizm in the name of Jesus Christ after which we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Conversion is the process of turning away from doing wrong and with God’s help start doing what is right.
The beautiful thing about repentance is that it brings us closer to God and this pleases God. As Jesus said, “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10).
Bible Verses on Pleasing God KJV
I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. Psalms 40 :8
When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6
And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. Mark 12:33
And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. John 8:29
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:8
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2
But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 1 Thessalonians 2:4
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:16
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.1 John 3:22
Have a Blessed Day!!!
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