In Your Opinion
No matter who crosses my path I feel the need to get on their good side and have them like me
Reference: When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” (Mark 14:69 TNIV Bible)
Explore: I like everyone to like me. When I say ‘everyone’ I mean EVERYONE!
My fourth grade teacher, my psychology tutor, my small group leader, the check-out attendant, the old lady that lives three doors down, the pedestrian walking down the street.
No matter who crosses my path I feel the need to get on their good side and have them like me. This helps me to be kind and polite to everyone I meet, but it also means that I don’t always prioritise my relationships well.
If the lady who lives three doors down was to show her disappointment in my parenting skills by scowling at my children, I would feel embarrassed and ashamed. And yet this lady doesn’t know me at all.
Why should I change who I am and what I do because of someone who doesn’t even know my situation?
It’s important to be aware of the impact we have on those around us, but that doesn’t mean we allow them to rule our decisions.
Application: When Jesus had been taken away from the disciples, Peter denied knowing Him. What always surprised me about Peter was whom he denied Jesus to.
It was a servant girl who identified Peter. She would have been one of the lowliest people in society.
I am assuming she was not married, therefore, she had no position through her family and her job was to do and not speak. And yet, instead of Peter standing up for his rabbi – the one he had dedicated his life to – he acted as if this servant girl’s opinion was more important.
We need to be careful whose opinion we prioritize. Often we act like people’s opinion is more important than God’s.
We need to stop being like Peter at his lowest moment, who was quick to deny Christ for the opinion of others.
Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we put others before You. May we realise that Your opinion is the most important of all. Amen.
When have you prioritized other’s opinions over Christ’s?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.