The Characteristics of a God-Pleaser

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOD-PLEASER

"Therefore we also have as our ambition [we make it our aim], whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him." 2 Corinthians 5:9

Several weeks ago we talked about the characteristics of a man who was a people-pleaser. In working through Lou Prilio's book "Pleasing People - How Not to be an Approval Junkie," he describes the opposite characteristics of a people-pleaser - a God pleaser. That should be our aim in life as men of God. We are not here to please man - we should make it our aim to please God.

So what are the characteristics of a God-pleaser? Lou suggests the
following:

1. A God pleaser realizes he cannot please God apart from being a
Christian.
"Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.
But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him." (Romans 8:8-9)

2. A God pleaser studies the Scriptures to understand exactly what
it takes to please God.

"...trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord." - Ephesians 5:10 "The person who delights (seeks his happiness) in the Lord delights (seeks his happiness) in the Scriptures. He reads them, studies them, memorizes them, meditates on them, runs to them when he has questions to answer, decisions to make, passions to quell, and crisis to face. He loves them because they show him how to live a full, rewarding, exciting life that pleases God."

3. In everything he does, a God pleaser is conscious of pleasing
God.

4. When he pleases people, a God pleaser does so out of loving
motives, not selfish ones.

5. A God pleaser knows that "it is more blessed to give than to
receive."

6. A God pleaser considers amending not only his actions, but also
his thoughts and motives.

7. A God pleaser is concerned about fulfilling not only his public
duties but his private ones.

8. A God pleaser is more concerned with what GOD sees in his heart
than what MAN sees in his appearance.

9. A God pleaser programs his conscience by the BIBLE rather than by
the culture!

10. A God pleaser does not shy away from
necessary conflict or confrontation.

11. A God pleaser does not worry or fret when he
displeases people if, by so doing, he pleases God.

Take some time to work through Lou's list. Are you ready to make it YOUR aim to please God? It is good to think about this. Tomorrow I want to zero in on his comments about number 7.

Great Quote: If there be anything that can render the soul calm, dissipate its scruples and dispel its fears, sweeten its sufferings by the anointing of love, impart strength to all its actions, and spread abroad the joy of the Holy Spirit in its countenance and words, it is this simple and childlike repose in the arms of God. S. D. Gordon