PLEASING GOD, NOT MAN
“Pleasing God and not man” is a concept often rooted in spiritual or religious teachings, emphasizing the importance of living according to God’s will rather than seeking approval or validation from people. It suggests prioritizing one’s relationship with God above societal expectations or the opinions of others. As believers in Jesus Christ, the ultimate goal of our lives should be to please God, not man. While we live in a world that often encourages seeking the approval of others, the Bible is clear that pleasing God should be our primary focus. God desires that we live according to His will, and He has provided everything we need to do so through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Etymology:
Hebrew:
The word for “pleasing” is רִצָּה (ratzah), meaning “to be acceptable” or “favored” in God’s sight.
Greek:
The word for “pleasing” is εὐάρεστος (euarestos), meaning “well-pleasing” or “acceptable,” often used to describe actions that align with God’s will.
Ways to please God
1. Accepting the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ:
To please God, we must first accept the sacrifice for sin that God provided through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. Paul writes that “those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God”.
Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. ( Romans 8: 8 )
The flesh represents our sinful nature, and as long as we are living under the control of our fleshly desires, we cannot please God. The first step to ward pleasing God is recognizing that we are unable to do so on our own and accepting the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. Jesus’ death on the cross paid the price for our sins, and by faith in His sacrifice, we can be reconciled to God. It is only through this act of grace that we can be moved from the realm of the flesh to the realm of the Spirit, enabling us to live in a way that pleases God.
2. Living by Faith:
To please God, we must also walk by faith. Faith is the foundation of our relationship with God. When we come to God in faith, believing that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him, we take the first step toward living in alignment with His will.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. ( Hebrews 11: 6 )
Faith is not a one-time decision; it is an ongoing act of trust in God. It means believing that God will do what He promises, and it motivates us to live according to His Word and His will. Faith in God enables us to over come the desires of the flesh and live by the power of the Holy Spirit, which is essential in pleasing Him.
3. Walking in the Spirit:
To live in a way that pleases God, we must walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Paul writes that, “you, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you”. Once we accept Christ’s sacrifice and receive the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to live according to God’s will. Walking in the Spirit means submitting to God’s guidance and following the leading of the Holy Spirit, who teaches us how to live in a way that honors God. The Spirit helps us overcome our sinful nature and empowers us to live with the fruit of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ( Galatians 5: 22 -23 )
This means choosing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control instead of yielding to the desires of the flesh. The more we allow the Spirit to lead us, the more our lives will reflect God’s will, which is pleasing to Him.
4. Walking Worthy of Our Calling:
As believers, we are called to walk worthy of the calling we have received in Christ Jesus.
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” ( Ephesians 4: 1 )
This means living in obedience to God’s commands and submitting to His will for our lives. Our calling as Christians is not to conform to the ways of the world but to live a life that reflects God’s love, grace, and holiness. Obedience is a key part of pleasing God.
“If you love me, keep my commands” ( John 14: 15 )
When we walk in obedience to God’s Word, we demonstrate our love for Him and our desire to honor Him with our lives.
Pleasing God brings lasting benefits
The benefits of pleasing God are vast, both in this life and in the life to come. While it’s true that we can never repay God for what He has done for us, the Bible offers clear benefits for those who choose to live in a way that pleases Him.
1. God’s Favor and Peace
When we live in a way that pleases God, we experience His favor and peace, even in the midst of challenges.
“When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.” ( Proverbs 16: 7 )
This is a powerful promise. Though we may face opposition, God’s favor can bring peace in situations where there might otherwise be strife or conflict. The peace of God can affect even our relationships with others, leading to harmony when we trust Him and follow His guidance.
2. The Gift of Peace Despite Tribulation
Though Christians will face hardships and trials in this world, pleasing God results in a peace that transcends circumstances.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”( John16: 33 )
This peace is not dependent on external circumstances but is rooted in our relationship with Christ. Pleasing God allows us to experience this peace, knowing that He has already overcome the challenges we face in the world.
3. God’s Good Pleasure to Give Us His Kingdom
For those who live in accordance with God’s will and please Him, He has an eternal reward.
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” ( Luke 12: 32 )
God delights in giving us His kingdom. This speaks of an eternal inheritance, where we will experience the fullness of God’s blessings. It is His pleasure to grant His faithful followers the gift of eternal life and the abundant life to come in His Kingdom.
4. In His Presence is Fulness of Joy
King David, a man after God’s own heart, wrote about the ultimate joy found in God’s presence.
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” ( Psalm 16: 11 )
Pleasing God leads to being in His presence, where true joy resides. This joy is not fleeting; it is lasting and eternal. When we live in accordance with God’s will, we experience His presence in a deeper way, which brings us true satisfaction and pleasure. The future promises even greater joys as we experience the fullness of His presence forever.
5. God’s Provision
Pleasing God results in His provision for our needs. As we seek first His Kingdom and righteousness, God promises to take care of us.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” ( Matthew 6: 33 )
By living a life that pleases God, we can trust that He will provide for our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. We are assured that when we prioritize His will, He takes care of all the rest.
6. The Reward of Eternal Life
The most significant benefit of pleasing God is the promise of eternal life with Him. This is the ultimate reward for those who follow God’s will.
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” ( Matthew 25: 21 )
Those who live to please God will one day hear these words from Christ, welcoming them into the fullness of His eternal Kingdom.
walking in the spirit, not the flesh
Paul contrasts the life of someone living according to the sinful nature(the flesh) and someone living by the Holy Spirit. The flesh leads to death, but the Spirit leads to life and peace. Paul emphasizes that those who are still in their sinful nature cannot please God, and this is one of the fundamental aspects of living a life that pleases God.
“The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” ( Romans 8: 6 -7 )
This passage illustrates that the mind set on sinful desires cannot align with God’s will. Only those who allow the Holy Spirit to control their lives can live in a way that pleases God. The “mind controlled by the Spirit” is marked by submission to God’s law, resulting in peace and life. Paul continues by explaining that to please God, we must walk in the Spirit, which means submitting to the guidance and influence of the Holy Spirit.
“You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.” ( Romans 8: 9 )
When we accept Christ’s sacrifice and receive the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to live a life that pleases God. Our new identity in Christ requires that we live according to the Spirit, not the flesh.
Living in Love and Righteousness
Finally, as we live according to God’s precepts and commandments, we demonstrate our love for God and others. Jesus’ two great commandments summarize the entire law.
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” ( Matthew 22: 37 -40 )
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.
By loving God with all of our heart, soul, and mind, and loving others as ourselves, we fulfill God’s commands and live in a way that pleases Him.
The New Testament is full of exhortations for believers to demonstrate love and righteousness in their lives, showing that righteousness and love are key aspects of pleasing God. Bible clearly teaches that sin is the primary thing that displeases God, and it is through repentance and conversion that we are able to start anew and align our lives with God’s will.
How we displease God?
Displeasing God occurs when we live in opposition to His commands, His will, and His holiness. The Bible outlines various ways in which humanity displeases God, with the central cause being sin—a failure to live according to His righteous standard.
1. Living in Sin
Sin, at its core, is rebellion against God. Sin is anything that falls short of God’s standard of righteousness and holiness. It includes things like lying, stealing, hatred, idolatry, and immorality. These actions displease God because they violate His holiness and character.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” ( Romans 3: 23 )
In addition to actions, sin also includes attitudes that are opposed to God, such as pride, greed, and unforgiveness, which grieve the Holy Spirit.
2. Living According to the Flesh
When Paul writes about walking “in the flesh” (Romans 8), he is speaking of living according to our sinful nature and desires rather than by the Spirit of God. The flesh is our unredeemed nature that leads us toward sinful behavior. Those who live by the flesh displease God because they reject the Holy Spirit’s leading and choose to live in sin.
“Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.” ( Romans 8: 8 )
This explains why the mindset on the flesh is hostile toward God
The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ( Romans 8: 7 )
A mind fixed on earthly desires is opposed to the things of God, making it impossible to please Him.
3. Lack of Faith
Faith is essential to pleasing God. Without faith, we cannot approach God, and we cannot live in a way that pleases Him.
“Without faith, it is impossible to please God.” When we fail to trust in God’s promises or question His ability to fulfill them, we are displeasing to Him. Doubt and unbelief dishonor God’s character.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” ( Hebrews 11: 6 )
When we refuse to trust God, we are effectively saying that He is not trustworthy, which disrespects His faithful nature.
4. Disobedience to God’s Commands
Disobedience is one of the primary ways we displease God. The Bible consistently teaches that obedience to God’s commandments is central toa life that pleases Him. In the Old Testament, the prophet Samuel declared that obedience is better than sacrifice.
But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. ( 1 Samuel 15: 22 )
The Israelites repeatedly displeased God by rejecting His commands, leading to judgment and punishment. When we choose our way over God’s commands, we disregard His wisdom and authority, which displeases Him.
5. Idolatry and False Worship
God commands His people to worship Him alone, yet idolatry is a frequent source of displeasure for God throughout the Bible. Idolatry can involve worshiping physical idols or placing anything above God—such as money, fame, relationships, or even self.
“You shall have no other gods before me.” ( Exodus 20: 3 )
And when we place anything in God’s place, we anger our loving Lod. In the New Testament, Paul speaks about covetousness and greed as forms of idolatry.
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ( Colossians 3: 5 )
Anything that takes the place of God in our hearts is an idol that displeases Him.
6. Grieving the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is God’s presence within believers, and grieving Him can lead to displeasing God. We grieve the Spirit when we live in sin, reject His guidance, or fail to obey His promptings. Ephesians 4 ,warns believers not to grieve the Holy Spirit by living in ways contrary to God’s will.
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” ( Ephesians 4: 30 )
The Holy Spirit works to guide, teach, and convict us of sin. When we ignore Him or resist His work, we grieve God.
7. Self-Righteousness and Legalism
One of the most prominent ways people displease God is through self righteousness or legalism. This is when people rely on their own works and abilities to earn favor with God, rather than depending on His grace. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their legalistic approach to righteousness, which was based on outward appearances and strict adherence to rules rather than a heart of humility and repentance.
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28Inthe same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. ( Matthew 23: 27 -28 )
God does not delight in mere outward appearances; He desires a humble heart that relies on His grace and follows Him in true righteousness.
8. Failing to Love Others
Jesus clearly teaches that love is central to pleasing God. He sums up the entire law by saying the two greatest commandments are to love God and love others.
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” ( Matthew 22: 37 -40 )
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” When we fail to love others—especially those who are difficult to love—we displease God. When we claim to love God but hate our brother, we are lying.
Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. ( 1 John 4: 20 )
If we harbor unforgiveness, bitterness, or hatred, we are failing to fulfill the law of love and, therefore, displeasing God.
Acknowledging sin is the first step in pleasing God:
The Bible is clear that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, and this sin separates us from Him .
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ( Romans 3: 23 )
Acknowledging our sin is essential because it opens the door for forgiveness, leads us to humility, and paves the way for transformation.
1. It Opens the Door to Forgiveness
Recognizing our sin is the starting point for receiving God’s forgiveness. Without acknowledging that we have fallen short, we cannot experience the grace that Jesus Christ offers through His sacrifice on the cross.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. ( 1 John 1: 9 )
When we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Through the acknowledgment of our sin, we open ourselves to God’s grace and forgiveness, which restores our relationship with Him and enables us to walk in a way that pleases Him.
2. It Leads to True Humility
Acknowledging our sin means admitting that we cannot please God on our own. This recognition is the essence of humility—acknowledging that we are dependent on God for forgiveness, transformation, and strength. God gives grace to the humble, but resists the proud. Humility is essential to a relationship with God because it opens us to His work in our lives.
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble ( James 4: 6 )
True humility before God involves acknowledging our inability to earn His favor through our own efforts and accepting His grace.
3. It Paves the Way for Transformation
Once we repent and turn to God in humility, He begins the process of sanctification, transforming us to be more like Christ. Anyone in Christ isa new creation, and this transformation makes it possible for us to live in a way that pleases God. Through the Holy Spirit, God empowers us to overcome sin and live according to His will.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” ( 2 Corinthians 5: 17 )
By repenting and seeking God’s forgiveness, we begin the process of becoming who God created us to be, increasingly reflecting His character in our lives
The recognition of our sin and our need for God’s forgiveness is the starting point for pleasing Him. The Bible reminds us that, by nature, we cannot please God because of sin. However, through repentance, faith in Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit, we can begin to live in a way that pleases Him. This is why acknowledging our sin and turning to God is so crucial—it is the gateway to redemption and a life that honors God.
By recognizing our sin, humbling ourselves before God, and trusting in the work of Christ, we open the door for forgiveness and transformation, setting us on the path to a life that pleases Him.