PLEASING GOD ABOVE SELF

PLEASING GOD ABOVE SELF

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 10:31-33

Key Verse: “Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” — 1 Corinthians 10:33 (KJV)

Supporting Texts: Galatians 1:10; Colossians 1:10; Hebrews 11:6; John 8:29; Philippians 2:3-5; Romans 15:1-3

Description: Pleasing God above self means making God's will, glory, and approval more important than personal comfort, recognition, preferences, or advantage. It is a Christ-centred way of life in which our decisions are governed by what honours God and benefits others.

INTRODUCTION

Human nature naturally seeks personal satisfaction and approval. We often ask, “What do I want?”, “What benefits me?”, or “What will people think about me?” However, the Christian is called to a higher standard. Our primary question should be, “Does this please God?” When pleasing God becomes our priority, our choices, relationships, ambitions, and conduct begin to change.

Paul demonstrates this principle in 1 Corinthians 10:31-33. He teaches believers to do everything for God's glory and not to seek their own advantage. Paul was willing to surrender legitimate personal interests if doing so would help others and advance the Gospel. His life demonstrates that Christian maturity is seen when God's interests become greater than our own.

Jesus Christ is the perfect example. He said, “I do always those things that please him” (John 8:29). His life was not centred on personal comfort but on obedience to the Father. If we desire to follow Christ faithfully, we must learn to put God's pleasure above our own desires.

1. MAKE PLEASING GOD YOUR HIGHEST PRIORITY

God's approval should matter more than human approval.

a) Seek God's Approval (Galatians 1:10)
A servant of Christ cannot make pleasing people his supreme goal.

b) Do Everything For God's Glory (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Every area of life should be directed towards God's honour.

c) Walk Worthy Of The Lord (Colossians 1:10)
Our conduct should consistently reflect our relationship with Christ.

d) Seek First God's Kingdom (Matthew 6:33)
God's kingdom must take precedence over personal interests.

Biblical Example: Jesus consistently prioritised the Father's will above His own comfort (John 6:38).

2. DENY SELF WHEN NECESSARY

Pleasing God sometimes requires saying no to ourselves.

a) Deny Yourself (Luke 9:23)
Following Christ requires surrendering personal desires when they conflict with God's will.

b) Take Up Your Cross (Luke 9:23)
Discipleship involves sacrifice and obedience.

c) Crucify Fleshly Desires (Galatians 5:24)
Those who belong to Christ must refuse to be controlled by sinful desires.

d) Present Yourself To God (Romans 12:1)
Our lives should become living sacrifices dedicated to God.

Biblical Example: Abraham was willing to surrender Isaac because obedience to God was more important than his personal attachment (Genesis 22:1-12).

3. PUT OTHERS BEFORE SELFISH INTEREST

Pleasing God includes caring about the welfare of others.

a) Do Not Seek Your Own Advantage (1 Corinthians 10:24)
Christian love considers how our choices affect others.

b) Consider Others Better Than Yourself (Philippians 2:3)
Humility rejects selfish ambition.

c) Look To The Interests Of Others (Philippians 2:4)
Spiritual maturity moves beyond self-centred living.

d) Bear The Weaknesses Of Others (Romans 15:1)
Those who are strong should help rather than condemn the weak.

Biblical Example: Paul willingly sacrificed his rights so that others could be saved (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).

4. FOLLOW CHRIST'S EXAMPLE OF OBEDIENCE

Jesus demonstrated what it means to live for God's pleasure.

a) He Always Did The Father's Will (John 8:29)
Jesus' life was consistently directed towards pleasing the Father.

b) He Obeyed Even When It Was Painful (Philippians 2:8)
Christ remained obedient even unto death.

c) He Sought God's Glory (John 17:4)
Jesus completed the work the Father gave Him.

d) He Served Others (Mark 10:45)
His life was characterised by sacrificial service.

Biblical Example: In Gethsemane, Jesus surrendered His human desire to avoid suffering to the Father's will (Matthew 26:39).

5. REJECT THE DESIRE FOR HUMAN APPLAUSE

The fear of people can prevent obedience to God.

a) Do Not Live For Human Praise (John 12:43)
Some people loved human approval more than God's approval.

b) Fear God Rather Than People (Proverbs 29:25)
The fear of man can become a spiritual trap.

c) Serve Christ Sincerely (Ephesians 6:6-7)
Our service should come from the heart rather than a desire to impress people.

d) Seek God's Commendation (Matthew 25:21)
The most valuable approval is the Master's: “Well done.”

Biblical Example: Peter and the apostles chose obedience to God rather than obedience to human authorities (Acts 5:29).

6. MAKE GODLY CHOICES WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING

True devotion is demonstrated in private.

a) Walk In Integrity (Proverbs 10:9)
Integrity means doing what is right even when there is no audience.

b) Guard Your Secret Life (Psalm 139:23-24)
God sees what others cannot see.

c) Flee Secret Sin (2 Timothy 2:22)
Private compromise can eventually become public failure.

d) Remember God's Presence (Psalm 139:7-10)
We cannot hide from God.

Biblical Example: Joseph refused Potiphar's wife's advances because he knew that sin would ultimately be against God (Genesis 39:9).

7. USE YOUR FREEDOM TO HONOUR GOD

Christian liberty must remain under the control of love.

a) Not Everything Is Profitable (1 Corinthians 10:23)
Something can be permissible but still spiritually unhelpful.

b) Avoid Becoming A Stumbling Block (1 Corinthians 10:32)
Our liberty should not damage another person's faith.

c) Sacrifice Rights For The Gospel (1 Corinthians 9:12)
Paul willingly surrendered certain rights for the sake of others.

d) Let Love Govern Your Freedom (1 Corinthians 8:9-13)
Christian liberty must never become an excuse for selfishness.

Biblical Example: Paul adapted his behaviour and surrendered personal preferences so that he could win more people to Christ (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).

8. LIVE FOR GOD'S GLORY UNTIL THE END

A God-pleasing life must remain consistent.

a) Do All For God's Glory (1 Corinthians 10:31)
God's glory should remain the ultimate purpose of our lives.

b) Seek To Please God In Everything (Hebrews 11:6)
Faithful living begins with confidence that God rewards those who diligently seek Him.

c) Finish Your Course (2 Timothy 4:7)
Paul remained committed until the end.

d) Receive The Eternal Reward (2 Timothy 4:8)
Those who remain faithful can anticipate God's eternal reward.

Biblical Example: Paul could testify at the end of his life that he had fought the good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith.

CONCLUSION

Pleasing God above self is one of the clearest marks of genuine discipleship. It requires us to surrender selfish ambitions, personal preferences, and the desire for human approval whenever they conflict with God's will. It also requires us to consider how our choices affect others and whether our lives are advancing the Gospel.

Let the words of Jesus become the guiding principle of our lives: “I do always those things that please him.” May we learn to ask before every decision, “Does this please God? Does it glorify Him? Does it help others?” When God's pleasure becomes our greatest pursuit, our lives will become instruments of His glory, and we will be able to finish our race with confidence.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, give me grace to make pleasing You the highest priority of my life, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, deliver me from selfish desires and every ambition that competes with Your will, in Jesus name.

3. Father, give me grace to deny myself whenever my desires conflict with Your purpose, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, give me the mind of Christ and help me to consider the welfare of others, in Jesus name.

5. Father, deliver me from the fear of man and the desire for human applause, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, help me to maintain integrity and purity even when nobody is watching, in Jesus name.

7. Father, teach me to use my Christian freedom wisely and never become a stumbling block to another believer, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, help me to make decisions that glorify You rather than decisions that merely satisfy me, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let my life, service, relationships, and testimony continually bring pleasure and honour to Your name, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, help me to remain faithful until the end and finish my race as one who pleased You, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall receive grace to put God above every personal desire.

2. Every selfish ambition competing with God's purpose in your life shall be brought under control.

3. You shall walk in the mind and humility of Christ.

4. The fear of man shall not control your decisions.

5. You shall receive courage to obey God even when obedience is costly.

6. Your private life shall agree with your public testimony.

7. Your freedom shall be used responsibly for the glory of God and the blessing of others.

8. Your decisions shall increasingly reflect God's wisdom and will.

9. Your life shall bring glory to God and become a blessing to many.

10. At the end of your journey, you shall be found faithful, and you shall hear the Master's commendation, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” in Jesus name.