The word generally translated in the New Testament as “pleasing,” or in some cases “acceptable,” is the Greek term euarestos, and it means exactly that: pleasing or acceptable (as that which pleases). However, when it comes being pleasing there are three options that I’d like you to think about.
First, will you please yourself? Surely this is the most popular “pleasing” option, but it quickly puts one at odds with Scripture. Romans 15:1-3 includes a prohibition against as much in v. 1, and also adds that “even Christ did not please Himself” in v. 3. Additionally, Philippians 3:18-19 speaks of those “whose god is their appetite” as being “enemies of the cross of Christ” who “set their minds on earthly things.” Pleasing yourself is the exact opposite attitude of Paul who crucified his “flesh with its passions and lusts” (Galatians 5:24). Obviously, the wisdom of God revealed in these passages directly contradicts many mantras and most of the so-called “wisdom” of people these days — which God made foolish (1 Corinthians 1:20).
Second, will you please others? This “pleasing” option is a bit tricky biblically. On one hand, passages such as Ephesians 6:6 and Colossians 3:22 clearly condemn being “men-pleasers” for slaves (and comparably for employees), and Galatians 1:10 and 1 Thessalonians 2:4 likewise denounce preachers who would speak in such a way to “please men” rather than God. However on the other hand, in 1 Corinthians 10:33 the apostle Paul said that he sought to “please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.” And to return to Romans 15:2 adds that we, as Christians, should “please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.” So pleasing others is not always a “bad” thing, provided that the activity doesn’t contradict Scripture and the motives are to spiritually edify and save them. Obviously, thoughtful discretion is here required since “God …examines our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:4)!
Third, will you please God? With this third “pleasing” option we can never go wrong, even if our actions displease others or ourselves (cp. Acts 4:19-20; 5:29)! Paul taught in 2 Corinthians 5:9 that being “pleasing to God” should be our “ambition,” and Ephesians 5:10 adds that we should try to “learn what is pleasing to the Lord.” Therefore, if we have the right ambition or goal coupled with the right effort and activity of consulting what God actually says pleases Him in His Word, and then do what pleases God instead of others or ourselves, we can’t go wrong!
But let’s add one more wrinkle to these thoughts before we close. What if, rather than merely obligatorily doing what pleases God even if, or perhaps especially if, such displeases us (reread Jonah 1-4 introspectively), we decide to be pleased with whatever pleases God? After all, isn’t that the essence of praying, “Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10b)? Wait, perhaps that’s why we don’t often include that phrase in our prayers anymore … we prefer what pleases us over what pleases God! Think about it, won’t you? Let’s be pleased to do what pleases God.
Philip C. Strong