Luke 4:14–15, 21–22, 28–29 NIV “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit… He began by saying to them, ‘Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.’ All spoke well of him… All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out… in order to throw him off the cliff.”

Jesus stepped into public ministry with a wave of praise. “Hometown boy does good,” the headlines would say. People loved His miracles, His grace, His presence. But the moment Jesus declared truth that confronted their sin and challenged their theology, the celebration turned into rage. The same people who applauded Him tried to throw Him off a cliff.

And that’s how Jesus’ ministry would continue—adored for His compassion, hated for His claims.
From a human perspective, He was crucified because He declared Himself God the Savior and demanded that every person repent and turn to Him for forgiveness. The crowds loved His kindness, but they rejected His authority.

Men still respond the same way today.

We like the parts of God’s Word that speak comfort, blessing, and purpose. But the passages that expose sin, confront pride, and call for obedience—those are the truths many refuse to hear. Scripture is both delightful and dividing. It comforts the humble and angers the unrepentant.

And this is where the man of God is tested.

A man can be praised for being quiet, kind, and generous. No one hates the man who simply “does good.” But Jesus didn’t just live God’s Word—He spoke it. He preached repentance. He exposed hypocrisy. He called people out of darkness. And that’s what provoked conflict.

Christian men today face the same tension:
Do we settle for being “good guys,” or do we courageously speak God’s truth—even when it offends?
Do we aim to please people, or do we aim to please God?

Families, workplaces, and communities are filled with people who prefer darkness to light, who believe they’re “good enough,” and who don’t want their choices judged by Scripture. When you speak God’s Word clearly and lovingly, there will be pushback. Maybe not a cliff—but social pressure, rejection, misunderstanding, or ridicule.

But Jesus wasn’t killed for living a righteous life.
He was killed for declaring God’s way of life.
If we want to follow Him faithfully, we must embrace both.

Run Today’s Play: Speak truth with courage. Don’t stay silent.

• Live the Word: Let your actions show the holiness you preach.

• Speak the Word: Refuse the temptation to stay quiet to keep the peace.

• Call for repentance: Just like Jesus, invite people out of sin and into obedience.

• Expect conflict: Faithfulness will offend those who reject the light.

• Aim to please God: Not your family, not your co-workers, not the culture.

Truth will divide. Obedience will cost you. But silence is not faithfulness.

Be the man who follows Jesus fully—living His Word and speaking His Word.

That’s how you become a God-pleaser, not a man-pleaser.