Oct 26 – REWARD FOR SERVICE

Sunday School

TOPIC – MEN-PLEASERS

Lesson Text :Ephesians 6:5-8

Memory Verse
“Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.” Colossians 3:22

LESSON INTRODUCTION
A “Men-Pleaser” is an individual who strives to please men or seeks to gain their favor with an ulterior motive. If the motive for your actions, speeches or attitudes is to always please men or the world rather than God, then you are in the category of men-pleasers. Acts 5:29

LESSON OUTLINES
A.CHARACTERISTICS AND DANGERS OF PLEASING MEN
B. OVERCOMING MEN PLEASING ATTITUDES

A. CHARACTERISTICS AND DANGERS OF PLEASING MEN
There are peculiar traits associated with men pleasers that tend to separate them from the rest of humanity. Some of these are:

• Love for human praise: They are known to love the praise of men and to receive special appellations from other people. Jn. 12:43
• Emotional toxicity: They can do anything including to “murder” people, either physically, spiritually or emotionally. While Herod used physical weapons such as imprisonment or guns (Acts 12:1-3), some other people used their tongue, position etc.
• Manipulation of justice: Men pleasers usually have undue respect for men such that they tamper with justice and deliver injustice to the poor. Deut. 1:17
• Fear of men: They exhibit fear of man as one of their peculiar traits, they always forget that the fear of man often brings a snare. Prov. 29: 25
• The scripture warns against being men-pleasers because of the inherent dangers. Anyone who has the habit of pleasing men will live in perpetual bondage (1 Sam. 15:24). Such a person will lose his or her freedom.
• Also, men-pleasers will become accomplices in sin (Prov. 28:21). The person will not have a mind of his or her own and will be easily tossed (Eph. 4:14). Men-pleasers will become the enemy of God (Jam. 4:4b) because of the attention given to men other than God. Men-pleasers will eventually experience the wrath of God because such a person is working contrary to God. Isa. 30;1-2; Jer. 17:5

B. OVERCOMING MEN-PLEASING ATTITUDES
Men-pleasing attitudes can be overcome through a high degree of seriousness and consistency. Here are some deliberate steps to take:

1. Rededicate and consecrate your heart to God by putting the Almighty in His true and deserving first position. Deut. 6:5
2. God must always be your delight (Ps. 37:4) and love Him passionately. 1 Jn. 4:19
3. Follow people, as they follow Christ (1 Cor. 11:1). Stop putting your hope in men because vain is the help of man. Ps. 60:11
4. Pray more in the Spirit for courage (Josh. 1:6) to say no and you will prevail over men-pleasing attitudes.

CONCLUSION
God is supreme, worthy of our worship and does not like competition (Ex.20:3-5). Beware of men-pleasing attitudes.

QUESTIONS

1. What are the dangers of pleasing men?
2. Mention three ways to overcome men-pleasing attitudes.
   FURTHER READINGS – SUN: Rom. 1:16; MON: 1 Sam. 15:24; TUE:
   Ps. 20:7; WED: Acts 10:35;