Ephesians 6:6

"not by way of eye-service, as people pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart." (NASB)

-Ephesians 6:6 ESV-

Let’s look at the context of the verse first and answer a few key questions.

Who wrote it? Paul

When was it written? Approximately AD 60

To whom was it written? To the church at Ephesus and the neighboring churches with whom the letter would be shared with

For what purpose? To strengthen the believers in Ephesus in their Christian faith by explaining the nature and purpose of the church, the body of Christ.

Serving with Purpose: Working as Unto the Lord – Ephesians 6:6

In a world where everyone seems to have an opinion, trying to please people can feel like a never-ending task. As Christian women and teens, we’re called to a higher standard—not to seek the fleeting approval of people, but to serve with a heart fully focused on pleasing God. Ephesians 6:6 reminds us:
"not by way of eye-service, as people pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart." (NASB)

This verse challenges us to shift our motivation from external applause to internal devotion, making our work an act of worship to the Lord.

Do you get caught in the Trap of People-Pleasing?
How often do we exhaust ourselves trying to meet everyone’s expectations? Whether it’s excelling at work, managing a home, or navigating friendships, the desire to be liked and admired can drain our energy and joy. The reality is, no matter how hard we try, we’ll never make everyone happy. But here’s the good news: we’re not called to.

God’s call is simple yet profound—work as unto Him. He doesn’t expect perfection; He desires faithfulness. When we align our efforts with His will, the burden of pleasing people lifts, replaced by the peace of serving the One who matters most.

Shift your focus to Jesus and His Commandments:
Living to please God requires us to fix our eyes on Jesus. It’s a daily decision to let go of worldly approval and instead anchor our actions in His Word. This might mean making unpopular choices, standing firm in your faith, or showing kindness when it’s undeserved. But every act done for God’s glory carries eternal significance.

When you find yourself overwhelmed by others’ expectations, pause and ask, “Is this pleasing to God?” Let Scripture guide your steps, and trust that His approval is all you need.

Start each day by dedicating your work, relationships, and decisions to the Lord. Pray for His guidance and strength to honor Him in everything you do. Make time to read Scripture and allow it to shape your heart and actions. Most importantly, give yourself grace—God knows your heart and honors your efforts to serve Him faithfully.

Ephesians 6:6 isn’t just a verse; it’s an invitation to live with purpose and freedom. Serving God rather than people may not always be easy, but it leads to a life of deeper joy, peace, and fulfillment. This week, let’s commit to working as unto the Lord, trusting that His approval is more than enough.