SEP 8

Colossians 3:22
Memorise Colossians 3:22
“…not with eyeservice, as menpleasers…”

DO I TRY TO PLEASE MY TEACHER?

Paul now switches to servants in Colossians 3:22 “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers…” The word “servants” here refers not just to slaves or workers, but to those subject to forms of authority over them, apart from authorities in the family which have already been dealt with in the previous verses. For example, we all serve the country of which we are citizens of, and are subject to the authority of the government. Teens, realize that even though you may not yet be working for wages, at school you are subject to the authority of teachers and the law of the headmaster.

We are to obey our masters in all things according to the flesh. Note obedience is not in every area of your life, for there are limits to the power which these authorities have over you. For example, your school teacher has no right to dictate what your religion is, and cannot require you to stay overnight in school without getting permission from your parents. We are never to obey if that causes us to sin or compromise in the faith. However, when your school teacher gives you copious amounts of homework, you must do your best to complete it, even if it means giving up your leisure time. It is never right to do things like to be defiant to teachers, copying homework or cheating in exams. Your teachers are an authority that the Lord has placed over you, and therefore we must do the best we can to obey them in the Lord.

Next, we should never obey with eyeservice, as menpleasers do. This refers to those who seem to work extra hard and do whatever the master wants when the master is around, but refrain from doing so when he is not around to notice. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with pleasing masters, but what God frowns on are those who place pleasing masters as their principal focus, as if all future reward are decided by how much one pleases these masters alone. These people are hypocrites, and obey for their own selfish causes. Thus, do not envy those who strive to be teacher’s pets, or those who pretend to work hard only when people notice. More importantly, do not be like these worldly students, for others will then question whether you truly treat Jesus as your Lord, when you focus so much on your worldly master instead.

Thought: What instances in my life have I been a ‘teacher pleaser’?
Prayer: May others see Jesus as my ultimate Master.