In a generation like ours, it seem almost impossible not to seek approval from people. We are caught up in a web of wanting to be accepted by everyone. We want to make sure that the choices we make are perfect in the eyes of people. However, we must know that as Christ followers, our standards shouldn’t be placed in the hands of the world. We are only meant to please God and do right by him. Some people today have bottled up their own happiness and living lies just because they seek validation from people, this kind of life style shouldn’t be found in us. Let us remember always that God did not make us to be what other people want, God’s purpose for making for us is to please him alone. Our identity as Christians should and must be determined by God, not by the world. Our gaze should be fixed on the things that matter and are incorruptible. In this article today, we will be looking into some key Bible verses that teaches on people pleasing and the ways we can avoid it.
Inasmuch as we know that we have been made to please God only, it is also important to know that we are not ruling out the fact that we ought to do right by our fellow humans. Some people would think that, pleasing God entails being cruel to people around us. No! Christianity does not subscribe to ill treatment of any kind. However, we have to learn to balance things between pleasing God and doing right by people. One of the ways to avoid being men pleasers is by setting boundaries. Our boundaries should be obvious for the world to see, so that when they come around they will have the knowledge that there are certain things and lifestyles that we not allow into our space. If you find yourself being unable to say No to certain requests or you are just a typical men pleaser, best way to to gain boldness is through prayers. Constantly ask God for help. Let us learn to always place what God’s wants from us over what people wants from us.
SEE ALSO: 40 Important Bible Verses About The Heart Of Man

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What Does The Bible Say About People Pleasing?
It will interest us to know that God is no respecter of persons, he has no sort of favoritism in him. These attributes of God is an indicator that we owe people no explanation for how we decide to live our lives as long as we live it for God. God condemns the attitude of pleasing people.
Galatians 1:10 “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ”. Paul the Apostle tells us that if we become men pleasers, then we have no business with serving God.
Roman 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” This very verse reminds us that we are not meant to operate on the standards set by the world.
Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”. In this epistle, Paul admonishes us to do things unto the Lord, not for eye service nor for human masters. Our services should be rendered only unto God. We have to see ourselves the way God sees us, by so doing, we will never contemplate on pleasing people no matter the amount of pressure that is been mounted on us. Let us endeavor to put these admonitions into practice so as to live a fulfilled life.

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Bible Verses About People Pleasing
- Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. – Galatians 1:10
- Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. – Proverbs 29:25
- Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2
- On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. – 1 Thessalonians 2:4
- Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. – Colossians 3:23
- For they loved human praise more than praise from God. – John 12:43
- Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among his great men. – Proverbs 25:6-7
- Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. – Matthew 6:1
- Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than human beings! – Acts 5:29
- Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. – Proverbs 4:23
- Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged. – Matthew 7:1-3
- But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. – 1 Peter 2:9
- Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. – Matthew 10:28
- I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mere mortals, human beings who are but grass. – Isaiah 51:12
- No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. – Luke 16:13
- Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. – Philippians 2:3
- You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? – James 4:4
- If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels. – Mark 8:38
- Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. – 2 Timothy 2:15
- When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. – Proverbs 11:2
- In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:16
- But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. – Isaiah 40:31
- So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? – Hebrews 13:6
- If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. – John 15:18
- The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? – Psalm 118:6
- So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31
- Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. – Luke 9:23
- So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. – 2 Corinthians 5:9
- Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. – Philippians 1:27
- It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall. – Romans 14:21
- Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. – Philippians 4:6
- When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. – Proverbs 16:7
- I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. – Galatians 2:20
- Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he? – Isaiah 2:22
- Not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. – Ephesians 6:6
- And try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. – Ephesians 5:10
- Just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. – 1 Corinthians 10:33
- How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? – John 5:44
- Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. – Hebrews 13:16
- Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. – Colossians 3:20