Topical Bible: Ministers: should not Be: Men-Pleasers

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In the context of Christian ministry, the role of a minister is to serve God and His people with integrity and faithfulness. A critical aspect of this service is the minister's motivation and whom they seek to please. The Bible provides clear guidance that ministers should not be men-pleasers, but rather seek to please God above all.

Biblical References:

1. Galatians 1:10 : "Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."
· The Apostle Paul emphasizes that seeking the approval of men is incompatible with being a true servant of Christ. Ministers are called to prioritize God's approval over human approval.

2. Ephesians 6:6 : "And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart."
· This verse, while addressing servants, applies to ministers in that their service should be genuine and from the heart, not merely to gain favor or recognition from others.

3. Colossians 3:22-23 : "Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men."
· Although directed at slaves, the principle extends to ministers, highlighting the importance of working sincerely for the Lord rather than for human approval.

4. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 : "Instead, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts."
· Paul underscores that the motivation for preaching the gospel is to please God, who knows the true intentions of the heart, rather than to seek human approval.

Theological Implications:

Ministers are entrusted with the sacred duty of proclaiming the gospel and shepherding God's people. This responsibility requires a focus on divine approval rather than human accolades. The temptation to become men-pleasers can lead to compromising biblical truths, diluting the message of the gospel, and prioritizing popularity over faithfulness.

Practical Considerations:

1. Integrity in Ministry: Ministers should maintain integrity by aligning their actions and teachings with Scripture, regardless of societal pressures or the desire for acceptance.

2. Courage to Stand Firm: Ministers must have the courage to stand firm in their convictions, even when it is unpopular or counter-cultural, trusting that their ultimate accountability is to God.

3. Focus on God's Approval: By focusing on pleasing God, ministers can ensure that their ministry remains authentic and effective, rooted in the truth of the gospel rather than the shifting opinions of people.

In summary, the biblical mandate for ministers is clear: they are to serve with a heart devoted to God, seeking His approval above all else, and avoiding the pitfalls of being men-pleasers.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Galatians 1:10
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Thessalonians 2:4
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 tries our hearts.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Voice of Stern Rebuke
... The Lord's messengers should not complain that their efforts are without fruit until
they repent of their own ... Those ministers who are men pleasers, who cry ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 10 the voice of.htm

Ephesians vi. 8-May
... if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness ... strength to
do this, who else should move him ... Not, however, that he saith this, as though ...
/.../homily xxii ephesians vi 8-may.htm

Covenant Duties.
... Lord and the king and the people, that they should be the ... Have I not commanded
thee?"[267] And lawful civil rulers are represented as the ministers of God ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iv covenant duties.htm

V. ...
... the Church, who are its officers and ministers, and appointed ... not with eye-service
only, as men-pleasers, but as ... body and life for me, why should not I serve ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter ii v .htm

Fast-Day Service
... the earth"how many are there that do not know what ... things God doth visit us, and
ye should hear the ... Our ministers were great and haughty; they understood the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/fast-day service.htm

Christ and his Table-Companions "And when the Hour was Come, He ...
... idolatries of Greece and Rome by the teaching of the first ministers of Christ. ... Oh,
can you not realize those words of Dr. Watts,". ... Should constant joys create ...
/.../spurgeon/till he come/christ and his table-companions and.htm