Is people-pleasing OK? Like, is it OK to be afraid of what people think?

I looked through the book of Acts to see who feared people and who feared God. I didn’t find any evidence of Jesus-followers fearing people. In fact, it seems that people-pleasing is the opposite of fearing God.

Who Fears People

• 4. High Priest Family – afraid of the people
• 5. People – none of the rest dared join the believers
• 5. Sadducees – filled with jealousy
• 5. Captain and officers – afraid people would stone them
• 12. King Herod – when he saw that it pleased the Jews
• 13. Religious Leaders – filled with jealousy at the crowds
• 16. Police – afraid when they heard they were Romans
• 17. Religious Leaders – jealous because of those following
• 19. Craftsmen – afraid of trade coming into disrepute
• 19. Ephesians – afraid of being charged with rioting
• 22. Tribune – afraid for Paul was a Roman citizen
• 23. Tribune – afraid Paul would be torn to pieces
• 24. Felix – left Paul in prison as a favour to the Jews
• 25. Festus – wanting to do the Jews a favour
• 27. Sailors – fearing it would run aground on rocks

Who Fears God

• 2. Believers – fear came upon every soul
• 4. Peter and John – boldness; listening to God not men
• 4. Believers – look upon their threats and grant boldness
• 5. Church – great fear when they heard of Ananias’ death
• 5. Peter and apostles – we must obey God rather than men
• 7. Stephen – “you betrayed and murdered Jesus”
• 8. Simon – “pray for me, that nothing you said will happen”
• 9. Annas – afraid of Saul, but went to meet him
• 9. Church – walking in the fear of the Lord
• 9. Disciples – afraid of Saul, but met with him
• 10. Cornelius – stared at the angel in terror
• 10. Cornelius and household – feared God; God-fearing
• 10. Anyone who fears God is acceptable
• 13. Men of Israel and those who fear God
• 13. Brothers and those among you who fear God
• 13. Paul and Barnabas – contradicted, but full of boldness
• 15. Paul and Barnabas – risked lives for the name of Jesus
• 16. Jailer – trembling with fear after earthquake
• 19. Residents of Ephesus – fear of the Lord fell on them all
• 20. Paul – not afraid of imprisonment and affliction
• 21. Paul – ready to be imprisoned and even die for Jesus