PRACTICAL CHRIST
IANITY - MEDITATE DAY AND NIGHT
Dec. 12th, 2025
STOP SHRINKING YOU TO PLEASE OTHERS.
When you secretly seek the approval of a friend, spouse, boss, acquaintance, pastor and more, and in the process do what you think will win them over to see you or prefer you, you are living a pretentious life. When you do things to please somebody, or for their acceptance, you are actually performing and operating under the FEAR OF REJECTION. Your desire is programmed to do whatever it takes to be acknowledged by someone or people who do not see you. Eventually, you have created by yourself and for yourself a most miserable existence. It is ‘love’ or ‘respect’ or ‘admiration’ wrapped in a terrifying internal fear. IT IS A LIFE OF PRETENCE. A LIFE OF LIES paid by your happiness and freedom. In that instance, you are no longer a friend, acquaintance but a slave. A slave seeking the approval of the master. This is how many people lost their real identity in marriages and their brilliance in the society.
In the story of Leah and Rachel, Leah shrunk to be accepted in a marriage she was not wanted. We never actually know who she truly was. In the attempt to please her husband, she had more and more children. She followed the script of the play written by her junior sister, Rachel and sometimes begged for what should have been rightfully hers (Gen. 29-30). Now compare this to Esther in the Book of Esther who demonstrated boldness at the cost of her life to approach the king, her husband, when the law forbids it but for the sake of her people.
Or king Saul who was not decisive if to please God or the people. He chose to please the people by sacrificing his obedience and loyalty to God. It was his downfall. And David who will rather please God demonstrating his firm standing, unwavering loyalty to God and Him only.
Paul wrote: “Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” (Gal. 1:10 NLT) We are encouraged to lose our life for Jesus Christ to enable us find it and its proper purpose, to live meaningfully, honest, and happy. “And what do you benefit if you GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Mat. 16:26 NLT)
BE YOURSELF AND LIVE FOR JESUS RATHER THAN SELL OR COMPROMISE YOUR FREEDOM. STOP SHRINKING.
THE WORD: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (Rom.12.2.NLT)
KBA Tracts
Follow KBA Tracts on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/19kNSm3rt7/
www.kbatracts.com.ng
IANITY - MEDITATE DAY AND NIGHT
Dec. 12th, 2025
STOP SHRINKING YOU TO PLEASE OTHERS.
When you secretly seek the approval of a friend, spouse, boss, acquaintance, pastor and more, and in the process do what you think will win them over to see you or prefer you, you are living a pretentious life. When you do things to please somebody, or for their acceptance, you are actually performing and operating under the FEAR OF REJECTION. Your desire is programmed to do whatever it takes to be acknowledged by someone or people who do not see you. Eventually, you have created by yourself and for yourself a most miserable existence. It is ‘love’ or ‘respect’ or ‘admiration’ wrapped in a terrifying internal fear. IT IS A LIFE OF PRETENCE. A LIFE OF LIES paid by your happiness and freedom. In that instance, you are no longer a friend, acquaintance but a slave. A slave seeking the approval of the master. This is how many people lost their real identity in marriages and their brilliance in the society.
In the story of Leah and Rachel, Leah shrunk to be accepted in a marriage she was not wanted. We never actually know who she truly was. In the attempt to please her husband, she had more and more children. She followed the script of the play written by her junior sister, Rachel and sometimes begged for what should have been rightfully hers (Gen. 29-30). Now compare this to Esther in the Book of Esther who demonstrated boldness at the cost of her life to approach the king, her husband, when the law forbids it but for the sake of her people.
Or king Saul who was not decisive if to please God or the people. He chose to please the people by sacrificing his obedience and loyalty to God. It was his downfall. And David who will rather please God demonstrating his firm standing, unwavering loyalty to God and Him only.
Paul wrote: “Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” (Gal. 1:10 NLT) We are encouraged to lose our life for Jesus Christ to enable us find it and its proper purpose, to live meaningfully, honest, and happy. “And what do you benefit if you GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Mat. 16:26 NLT)
BE YOURSELF AND LIVE FOR JESUS RATHER THAN SELL OR COMPROMISE YOUR FREEDOM. STOP SHRINKING.
THE WORD: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (Rom.12.2.NLT)
KBA Tracts
Follow KBA Tracts on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/19kNSm3rt7/
www.kbatracts.com.ng
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