Date: 03-07-2020

Title: People Pleasing

(S) cripture:
    Mark 15:15 (NASB77) And wishing to satisfy the multitude, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he delivered Him to be crucified.
    
(O) bservation:
    Pilate wanted to release Jesus but he wanted to please the people more and so he gave in to their request and demand to crucify Jesus.
    
(A) pplication:
    Fear of people or wanting to please them to gain their favor will cause you to do things you know are wrong. I must be a person of conviction and principle. I must do what is right whether people like it or not. I cannot be controlled by whether people will like me or not. I must do what the Lord sets before me to do regardless of whether it pleases the people or not. The only one I must please is the Lord.
    
(P) rayer:
    Lord, I want to be liked as much as the next person – maybe more. I can fall into this trap. Give me wisdom to recognize when this is happening and the courage to do what you ask instead. Amen