Good Question

Galatians 1:10 (NIV)
¹⁰ Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

A hallmark of a follower of Christ is captured in this verse, in the last sentence in particular. If we seek the approval of anyone above God, we dishonor Him and turn away from the gospel. This is the basis of sin, trying to please men or self rather than our Father and Creator. We all deal with this temptation. It may be easy to resist more obvious trouble areas, but some may be more subtle. The arguments and language of the serpent of old are well adapted to our times and for each individual. Our weakness is no different from that of Adam and Eve for all our knowledge and wisdom.

Jesus came because of that weakness, to do what we could not. He offers His strength to us. We receive it by following Him. We follow Him by seeking to please and love Him. We do this through faith and obedience to Him, not to ourselves or those around us.

What may seem pleasing to us may not be pleasing to God. This may be a good question to ask ourselves now and then, or when we are in doubt. It will always be a good question to ask of God.