Afraid of What People Think About Me

Living for an Audience of One

Scripture References

• Matthew 1:18
• Matthew 1:19
• Matthew 1:20-21
• Matthew 1:24
• Galatians 1:10
• Psalm 119:105

Overview

The message calls believers to break free from people-pleasing and live for God’s approval alone. Using Joseph’s dilemma in Matthew 1, the pastor shows that pleasing God often disappoints people, yet obedience invites God’s extraordinary work. Two core principles surface: expect criticism when you obey, and remember that great moves of God begin with small acts of faith.

Context

The pastor confessed his own lifelong struggle as a “recovering people pleaser,” sharing childhood stories of fake Polo shirts and adult anxieties about church members’ opinions. He framed the sermon around one of the angelic “fear not” commands in the Christmas story.

Main Points

1. The Trap of People-Pleasing

• Cultural pressure pushes us to wear, drive, post, and say the “right” things.

• “Obsessing about what people think about you is the quickest way to forget what God thinks about you.”

• Conversely:

  “Obsessing about what God thinks about you is the quickest way to forget what people think about you.”

2. Joseph’s Crossroads (Matthew 1)

• Engagement then was legally binding; breaking it required death or divorce.
• Joseph discovers Mary is pregnant—humanly, she is either lying or crazy.
• He plans a quiet divorce to protect reputations until an angel appears: “Do not be afraid… take Mary as your wife.”
• Joseph must choose between the easy path (public opinion) and the right path (obedience).

3. Principle 1 – Obedience Invites Criticism

• “If you’re not ready to be criticized for your obedience to God, you are not ready to be used by God.”

• Galatians 1:10—pleasing people and serving Christ are mutually exclusive.
• Illustrations: large family, homeschooling, multi-site church, Church Online, YouVersion—all drew harsh critique before bearing fruit.
• “Those who make the biggest difference often endure the greatest pain.”

4. Principle 2 – Extraordinary Acts Start Small

• Mary and Joseph’s simple “yes” ushered in the Savior.
• Psalm 119:105—God gives light for only the next step; details follow obedience.
• Everyday examples: refuse a shady business deal, pray over lunch at work, tithe faithfully, protect sexual purity, consider fostering, invite a friend to church.

• “You have no idea what God might set into motion when you live for Him instead of living for people.”

5. Taking the First Step

• Identify any area run by public opinion—finances, relationships, career, social media image, family expectations.
• Replace “they think” with “God says.”
• Joseph “did what the angel of the Lord commanded” (Matthew 1:24); believers are called to the same immediate obedience.

Key Truths

• Pleasing God often means disappointing people.
• You cannot please everyone, but you can please God through faith.
• Criticism is a predictable price of meaningful obedience.
• God typically links His greatest works to someone’s ordinary, faith-filled step.
• Living for public applause chains you to shifting opinions; living for God anchors you in unchanging purpose.

Response

• Ask the Holy Spirit to expose where you chase approval.
• Commit to the next clear act of obedience, even if details are unclear.
• Speak openly about your faith in daily settings.
• Order finances, relationships, and entertainment choices around God’s values, not peer pressure.
• Celebrate small steps—trust that God multiplies ordinary obedience.

Closing

The pastor reminded listeners that public applause is unattainable and fleeting, but God’s approval is available through faith in Christ. A life lived for Him ends with the words every believer longs to hear:

“Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

He invited people to surrender their lives to Jesus, releasing the need to impress others and embracing a life focused on God alone.

Prayer

The congregation prayed together, thanking Jesus for forgiveness, asking to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and pledging to live for God’s pleasure rather than people’s opinions.