Scripture | “We speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness— nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority. But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.” 1 Thessalonians 2:4–7
Observation | We learn God’s way from the Word as we reflect both on our own actions and as we watch those who “speak “the word of God to us.
Our first ungodly characteristic to avoid from our text and be on the watch for is “flattering words.” Nothing is wrong with “encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.“ (Heb 10:24-25) The key then is to understand the difference between “flattering“ and ”encouraging.“ One of these targets the ego and puffs up our view of ourselves. Flattery is crafty, because it actually causes us to think highly of someone else, because they make us think highly of ourselves. Let’s repent of the ungodliness of flattery. Both the giving and receiving of it. Let’s also repent of our lack of giving true encouragement to others. To encourage others in view of Scripture is to turn men towards God and His Word, making men think highly of the Lord. Watch for the difference in preachers.
The second ungodly characteristic to avoid in our text is “greed.” We wrongly limit greed to a selfish hunger for money and financial gain, but that’s not what Paul is referring here. There are other forms of greed, such as a desire to gain more followers. This greed leads people to use relationships, social media likes and a greater influence to satisfy their greed for numbers. This is a greed for more and more people who like them, follow them or attend their church. Again, self is at the center of such ungodly desires. In contrast, those who truly serve God will trust His leading and minister according to His Word, even when few or no one likes it or follows along.
Pragmatism is the study of what works. Pragmatism has for a long time been the ministry handbook of those greedy for numbers. It has taken the seat of authority away from Scripture for church leaders who want to grow their church. The offenses of God’s Word are hidden and softened out of a greed for numbers.
Our biblical treasure is to be much less about how many converts we make for Christ, then the richness of growing and maturing disciples of Christ and His Word. Teaching family, friends, and neighbors what it means to be devoted to the reading, meditating, studying and application of scripture. The discipline of prayer. And a real and zealous a love for God. One mature true-believer will bring greater years and depth of glory to God then thousands of shallow converts who fall away or follow the luke-warm church that is spit out of the mouth of the Savior.
The greed for numbers is seen when men boast in attendance, track numbers and find fulfillment and success in ministry with having more seats filled. Let us all repent of the self-centered need of greed and beware of those preachers who long for numbers. “Flattering speech” is one of their tell-tale characteristics, as they “seek glory from men.”
This is our third point, the danger of a desire to “seek glory from men.” This characteristic also becomes evident in someone’s speech. Does one dwell on and share their own doings and achievements in life? Do they put themselves in the spotlight often? Or do they put God and his word at center stage of their own life and others? We all need to ask these questions of ourselves.
However, Paul has ministers in mind. Some of them use the pulpit to boast in their great learning and accomplishments. They will talk about this ministry and that, and how many numbers came or came forward during the services. People will “OOo” and “awe” at such a presentation, thinking they have found such an effective worker of the ministry. Some will use the ministry to quote from their great studies of men with book after book referenced, instead of the effective Word of God.
In doing these things these men use well-crafted messages to subtly exalt themselves and awe their audience, but fail to equip those who have been placed in their charge with the eternal Word of God. A great accounting will be exacted on men who seek approval in this way (James 3:1), just as our text says “God is their witness.”
These realities are sadly all too common today. I dare to say that it is likely most church leaders seek the approval of men and the putrid result is that the message of truth is blurred and lost. “Why must they obscure the truth of God’s Word” you ask? So that the minister can keep his following by not offending anyone. Because truth always offends error.
Application | We all need to repent of such desires and seek not the approval man but of God. Apply Galatians 1:10 to your own life. “Am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I (am) still trying to please men, I (can) not be a bond-servant of Christ.”
Are you serving man’s approval, seeking glory and praise from men? Think about it, the one who you seek to please is your Lord, and you cannot have two masters (Matt 6.24).
Prayer | Father, I confess my fleshly desire to find glory in the eyes of others. I confess my greed and need to win their approval, likes and following. Change my heart, oh Lord, and give me a love and a passion for doing and living in a way that pleases you, no matter what others say. Lord, please open my eyes to the ministers who use flattery and self-exaltation, trying to win my heart for themselves. Lead me to men who use Your Holy Word and Christ-exaltation, even when it is gravely offensive to me. So that my heart will be constantly won for You and for Your glory alone. Amen.
