A recent occurrence prompted me to write this piece and I hope it will edify you in some way.

Psychologist Harriet Braiker says, “To please is a disease.”  Years ago, I would have said she was dead wrong because all my life I thought success meant being a people pleaser.  However, the thing that presented itself a couple of days ago made me realize I have made some gains in this area.  I was advised to do something that was legally wrong, not to mention first and foremost, had I done it, wrong in the eyes of God and then no telling…  It made me realize that people pleasing can be dangerous to my walk (and anyone else’s).  I dodged a bullet that day but only because I have been superbly taught God’s truth these past several years and have, but not without failings, adhered to these teachings. 

I do not think I am wrong in saying that from an early age we all have had instilled in us the importance of pleasing others our parents, siblings, friends and others who were in our realm of influence, because face it; we all thought if we did we would be accepted and well-liked.  I used to think the bandwagon would leave me in its dust if I did not jump on and then I would have missed “spectacular” things.  I know now that that was a belief born from fear and insecurity. 

It is so easy to fall in the enemy’s trap by allowing yourself to feel embarrassed and thinking you do not measure up to others’ standards if you “go against the grain.”  I suppose, though, responding to peer pressure is an example of where the rubber meets the road. 

The Bible is full of examples of men who were crowd pleasers and moral and eternal corruption was their payday.

Do not let public opinion cause you to sin.  We always have to stay sharp and on our toes Satan is just waiting for us to stumble.

“You shall not follow a crowd to do evil” Exodus 23:2  

Katie Altobellis