The Bible is replete with instruction, both positive and negative, for the behavioral patterns of acceptable living for all men. This is a most difficult lesson for men to learn, even some professing Christianity. We all must recognize that there are no alternatives when God speaks. He blesses the obedient, and condemns the disobedient. This lesson God has stressed from Eden to the present. His word continues to say the same, but men like Adam of old, continue to find what they conceive to be an acceptable alternative to obedience (see 1 Sam. 15:19-25).

The pressures of life, witnessed in all relationships of human endeavor, have a tendency to cause man to move from complete honesty with God and man that he becomes nothing more than a "man pleaser." The giving in to these various pressures do not justify our actions; it is never right to do wrong (Rom. 3:8). To not do the right thing is to do the wrong (cf. James 4:I7). Paul says, "Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men" (Col. 3:22, 23). The same is stated in Ephesians 6:5-7. These are the only times this word is used in the New Testament and is herein used in the nominative plural. The basic idea of the word is: "studying to please men, courting the favor of men!"

It seems rather strange that a man would make more effort to please men than he would to please God. God says, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together" (Heb. 10:25), but men will do this purely out of desire to please some human being! One who makes no effort to do the will of God in this matter, but rather justifies his doings as a "man pleaser" has no right to the fellowship of God or His people. Some Christians (?) have visitors or they go visiting on the Lord's day, but to be pleasing to all concerned (but the Lord), they just visit and forget all about the Lord! The basic, underlying sin in this behavior is "men pleaser." There is no love and reverence for God in this, all efforts are to please men. Such, as Christians, need to publicly repent that God and His people may forgive and the sinner be restored. Too many people take this matter lightly and it is eternally dangerous!

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 6, p. 209
April 7, 1983