Inc. Magazine contributing editor Jeff Haden wrote an article titled: “8 Things You Should Not Do Every Day.” Although written in the negative case, I found these invaluable and strangely biblical.
- Check my phone, answer it, or text while I’m talking with someone.
- Multitask during a meeting.
- Think about people who don’t make any difference in my life.
- Use multiple notifications.
- Let the past dictate the future.
- Wait until I’m sure I will succeed.
- Talk behind someone’s back.
- Say ‘yes’ when I really mean ‘no’.
Definitely some unproductive, and in some cases, rude behavior. It should be as simple as doing the right thing, shouldn’t it? But in reality, social norms have slipped. As a matter of fact, some have never known the social norms. I would also argue that some of those social norms need to change. What doesn’t change, is relational right and wrongs. Some things are just wrong. For believers, this is much easier. All we have to do is obey the scripture and the Holy Spirit which will guide us into the Word.
As Paul continued in his writings to the church at Thessalonica, he reminds them of the method and approach he had with them when he was first there. He did the right things not because they were the socially norm things, or humanly wise things, but did as Jesus did. 1 Thessalonians 2.3-6 explains: “For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.”
This entire section from here until verse 12 shows us two main principles: 1) They spoke. Verse 4 says— “even so we speak”. It is imperative that we speak the gospel to others. Let’s make that a little more tangible: God promises that the Holy Spirit will put the words in your mouth to say. Tell them who Jesus is and what has He done for every soul. Tell them your story. The natural question will be asked…’What do I do?’ Your answer… turn to Him alone and believe. 2) They appealed. This is the word (paraklēsis) from verse 3 “exhortation”. The way they did it was not simply talking…exhortation in this usage means ‘to plea or make appeal.’ This should be done with urgency and earnest, not just telling a story. So even telling the Gospel can be done wrong. We have all been exposed to practices and people who have given Jesus a bad rap. Sometimes it is just as important to know what NOT to do. This portion is “What Not To Do and Why”; the next is “What They DID Do and Why” (7-12).
So when the Apostle and His band of Gospel givers spoke, taught, led, preached etc, they were not:
- deceitful— (planos) fraudulent; straying from truth; to deceive, delusion, error.
- immoral— “uncleanness”— (akatharsia) moral impurity.
- fake— “guile” (dolos) meaning to decoy; a trick (bait), used as ‘wile’ of the devil. (duplicity)
- insincere— “flattering words”— (kolakeia) lavish insincere praise and compliments upon (someone), especially to further one’s own interests.
- greedy— “cloke of covetousness”— (prophasis) outward pretending (pleonexia) greediness specifically for use in extortion. (obtaining money or some other thing of value by the abuse of one’s office or authority.)
- scheming— “sought glory of men”— (zēteō) plot or scheme. What specifically? glory-(doxa) honor, praise or even worship.
Now, for real, this resembles a lot of churches and their leaders today. What were the result of Paul doing ministry this way and not that way? Verse 6 says they were not“burdensome”. Not burdensome means— un-oppressive, compassionate, gentle, kind, merciful, sympathetic, temperate. This is basically the list of verse 7-12. If they were burdensome then they would be— deceitful, immoral, fake, insincere, greedy, and scheming and therefore the opposite would be true: They would be— weighty, distressing, oppressive, troublesome, torturous, guilt-tripping, unjustly harsh, tyrannical. It is sounding more and more like some modern ministries and their so-called spiritual leaders.
Why was Paul so concerned about how not to do it? There are a lot of cheap substitutes but there is only one real thing! Paul knew to his core what we should know: God entrusted them with the Gospel (verse 4). What does that mean, tangibly? The word “trust” is (pisteuō) which means— credit or deposit; entrust; to commit; put in trust with. He has deposited, committed, put us in-trust with the precious Gospel story. It is much like being given a sum of money for deposit to be used in a specific way by the owner. We do not have a choice in it, we do not own it, instead we should just obey and do what we were entrusted to do with it. In verse 4 Paul said they were “allowed” (dokimazo)— to be approved and tested. God isn’t just handing this out to just anyone and walking away from it. We have responsibility for the Gospel, and will answer for it. Are we going to squander it? Are we going to sit on it? Are we going to throw it away? I pray never! We have to do with it what was intended to be done with it by the One who entrusted us with it. Like the money for deposit, you have to use it with the intent of the One who gave it. Otherwise you have committed fraud. This is why he said in verse 4 that they were to “please God”.Specifically he said: “not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.” There is nothing more liberating than knowing that God is the only one I am to please. He also said in verse 5 “God is witness”.God tries the heart and God witnesses everything. Man cannot try (dokimazō: to test; to approve; to discern; to examine) your heart and man cannot witness (martys: to record judicially as a witness in court) everything.
You must pick who you will please. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego said to King Nebuchadnezzar—“we will not bow.” Martin Luther said going to the city of worms—“even if every tile is a demon i must go.” John Knox was a galley slave on a french ship where the slave master with a whip demanded they kiss a painting of the virgin Mary. He said— “Mother? Mother of God? It is a piece of painted wood, more fit for swimming than worship”. He then threw it overboard. Queen Mary of Scots said she was “more afraid of John Knox than all the armies of England.” It’s not what others thinkabout you, but what God knowsabout you. As Paul said, we have to come to grip with the reality: God will try my heart, he will demand a reckoning of my life. With so many charlatans and quacks today, we must be people of integrity who know Who we answer to and therefore walk a life that would please Him.
It comes down to 3 choices or a combination of the three:
- Are you going to please you?
- Are you going to please people?
- Are you going to please God?
Reality check… if your goal is to please God then you have to forsake the first 2. If you choose 1 or 2 you will be a miserable person and rob yourself of heavenly rewards.
Who are you going to choose to please?