It is easy to fall into the performance trap whether we perform for others or ourselves. When we do this, we live a life of bondage. Instead of true liberty in Christ, we live like slaves. In today’s devotional, Dr. Michael Youssef contrasts the works of the flesh and the works of the Spirit.
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[00:00:00] You are listening to My Devotional, the daily devotional from Dr. Michael Youssef and Leading
[00:00:06] the Way.
[00:00:08] Freedom From Performance by Dr. Michael Youssef
[00:00:13] All people yearn to belong and to be known. In the quest for relationship and acceptance,
[00:00:20] people often seek to please, but who we are pleasing has eternal consequences. Let's
[00:00:27] look at some different kinds of pleasers.
[00:00:31] The People Pleaser
[00:00:33] Some people spend their whole lives trying to please other people. Consider the adult child
[00:00:38] of a very successful businessman who feels obligated to take over the family business. He may not
[00:00:44] have the temperament or the natural skills to follow his father's footsteps, but he trudges
[00:00:50] on in an unfulfilled life out of a sense of duty and obligation.
[00:00:55] Likewise, many Christians continually look at what others are doing to make sure they are
[00:01:01] personally measuring up to others' expectations. When the Apostle Paul was accused of people-pleasing,
[00:01:07] he made it clear how incompatible this life was for the Christian. He wrote,
[00:01:13] If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
[00:01:19] The Self Pleaser
[00:01:20] We have all watched highly successful businessmen or star athletes ruin their health and families in
[00:01:27] the process of trying to achieve personal goals. They become obsessed with fulfilling their own
[00:01:33] expectations or meeting their own needs. Similarly, many Christians fall prey to serving the God of self.
[00:01:40] Paul warned in Romans 2.8,
[00:01:42] But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.
[00:01:51] Jesus calls us to a better way. So do not worry, saying,
[00:01:55] What shall we eat or what shall we drink or what shall we wear?
[00:01:58] For the pagans run after these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
[00:02:05] But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
[00:02:13] It's easy to fall into the performance trap, whether we are performing for others or ourselves.
[00:02:19] When we do this, we actually live a life of bondage. Instead of true liberty in Christ, we live like slaves.
[00:02:28] Contrast a life lived in the performance trap to the life of another group of people, God-pleasers.
[00:02:36] They consistently ask, What does the Lord want me to do? What is the will of God?
[00:02:42] Is what I'm doing today glorifying Him or me?
[00:02:46] God-pleasers live their lives in total dependence on Him.
[00:02:50] They surrender themselves to Christ daily, knowing that having a relationship with Almighty God
[00:02:55] brings infinite fulfillment, and that God Himself has provided the means for their acceptance into His courts,
[00:03:03] Jesus Christ.
[00:03:05] Are you caught in the performance trap?
[00:03:07] Or are you living a life of liberty in Christ?
[00:03:12] Let's pray together.
[00:03:13] Father, help us to remember that we should be seeking to please You today, not others, not ourselves.
[00:03:20] Help us to be God-pleasers.
[00:03:23] We pray this in the name of Jesus.
[00:03:26] Amen.
[00:03:27] If today's devotional encouraged you, we'd love to hear about it.
[00:03:31] Leave a review and share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it.
[00:03:36] My devotional is a ministry of leading the way with Dr. Michael Youssef.
[00:03:41] To learn more, visit ltw.org today.