Should Christians, and our churches, be concerned with making good impressions on others? As in all we do, let’s turn to God’s Word for an answer.
Bible Verses that Seem to Be Against Seeking to Impress People
We can find a number of Scripture verses that suggest we should be against trying to impress people. Here are some of those verses:
Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Gal. 1:10)
Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Gal. 6:12-14)
On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. (1 Thess. 2:4)
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Col. 3:23-24)
At first glance, the above verses do seem to suggest that we should not seek to impress people, that their opinions of us and what we do shouldn’t matter. God is the One to whom we stand accountable. God is the One whom we should seek to please.
Scripture that Seems to Suggest that We Should be Concerned About What Other People Think
Following are some verses that seem to indicate that what people think and feel matter in order to best reach and teach them.
Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. (1 Cor. 9:19)
so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive (Titus 2:10)
Reconciling Scripture Gives Us Biblical Grounds
As always, we must look at the full counsel of God. We must reconcile Scripture with Scripture. Here are verses that help us do that:
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God — even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. (1 Cor. 10:31-33)
Two issues must be in place when seeking to impress others, always in this order:
1) God’s glory
Click on the above links to read about this criteria.