Every now and then God takes a verse of Scripture and drives it like a stake into my heart.  He pushes it so deep into my soul and spirit that it almost literally hurts.  The pain is called the conviction of the Spirit.  Truthfully, it is really difficult when God reveals to you one of your blind spots.  This is the verse…

   Galatians 1:10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?  Or am I trying to please man?  If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Is keeping a lifelong friend more important than taking a stand that is Biblically right?  Is the acceptance of people who have power and influence more important than supporting something you know is right at your church.  Is it more important to keep your job or please your boss than making a stand for what honors God?  Would you rather be left alone than suffer because you make a stand?

“It has been granted to you by God not only to believe in Him but also to suffer for His sake” (Phil 1:29).

Here’s how most people make decisions: What does my best friend beleive?  What will it cost me to make this stand?  What will I gain by joining this group?  What is the path of least pain?  What is the position the people I am closest to on this matter?

Truth!  If you seek to honor God… please Him… serve Him… proclaim His truth… and make Him first in your life, you WILL suffer!  It WILL cost you!  You WILL have it hard and have to make decisions that will cause you loss.

Eventually you will have to decide if you are going to please men (Which includes yourself) or you will please God.  Pleasing men and/or yourself will put you in opposition to God.  Pleasing God will put you in opposition to men and yourself.  It is impossible to please both God and man (CLICK).

The place where this is most likely to happen (From my experience) is in church.  You are going to be pressured most by others who also identify with Christ.  And so a decision will have to be made…

1 Samuel 2:30b, “Honor God and He will honor you.”