It was a sunny spring morning when John stepped outside onto his front porch, coffee mug in hand.
As he looked out over the neighborhood coming to life, he pondered a question that had been on his heart lately – what does it really mean to please God?
John thought about his devout Christian parents who had raised him in the faith.
He remembered their constant encouragement to live in a way that was pleasing to the Lord. But as an adult, John sometimes struggled to know exactly what that looked like in daily life.
He took a sip of his coffee as he watched a mother walk down the sidewalk holding her young son’s hand. The boy hopped and skipped along, delighting in the simple joy of being outdoors.
John smiled as he considered that even this small child could bring pleasure to his parents just by being himself.
And so as the birds chirped their morning songs, John whispered a prayer asking for wisdom and discernment for how to live a life pleasing to God.
He knew that pleasing his Creator was not about following a list of rules – it was about pursuing an honest faith, a pure heart, and an upright life each day.
As John finished his prayer, he felt ready to step into the day with a renewed commitment to live in a way that would bring a smile to God’s face.
Why Should You Care About Pleasing God?
Pleasing God should be the highest priority in the life of every Christian. We were created to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
Our greatest joy comes from living in a close relationship with our Father in heaven.
The Bible teaches that it’s impossible to please God without faith.
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)
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Faith means trusting in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Only through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross can you be declared righteous before God.
Living a life that is pleasing to God is essential for your holiness and spiritual growth.
God wants His children to continually grow in Christlike character and obedience to His Word.
As you seek to please and honor God, you will experience His love and blessing in amazing ways.
What Does It Mean to Please God?
At the most basic level, pleasing God means eagerly obeying His commands and wholeheartedly loving Him above all else.
You please God by pursuing intimacy with Him through salvation, prayer, Bible study, worship, and fellowship with other believers.
Here are some key principles for pleasing God according to His Word:
Have Faith in Jesus Christ
- “And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Faith in Christ is the first step to pleasing God.
Offer Sacrifices of Praise
- “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name” (Hebrews 13:15). God delights in heartfelt praise and worship.
Do Good Works
- “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:16). God is pleased when you serve others.
Present Your Body as a Living Sacrifice
- “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1). Every part of your life should honor God.
Set Your Mind on The Spirit
- “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires” (Romans 8:5). Pleasing God means being led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14).
Walk in a Worthy Manner
- “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received” (Ephesians 4:1). Your actions should line up with your faith in Christ.
10 Ways to Please God in Everyday Life
Here are some practical ways you can please God every day:
01. Read the Bible daily
- Regular Scripture reading helps you to know God’s heart and to align your thoughts with His truth (Romans 12:2).
02. Obey God wholeheartedly
- Don’t compromise with sin. Choose to follow God’s commands with your whole heart (Matthew 5:19).
03. Pray continually
- Develop a vibrant prayer life. Bring everything to God in prayer, with thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18).
04. Love Others Sincerely
- Ask God to fill you with His supernatural love. Let it overflow to everyone around you (Matthew 22:37-39).
05. Give Generously
- God loves a cheerful giver! Look for ways to generously share your finances, time, and talents, especially with the poor and needy (2 Corinthians 9:7).
06. Proclaim The Gospel
- Tell others the good news about Jesus! There are precious lives at stake (Matthew 28:19-20).
07. Worship From The Heart
- Sing, pray, and listen to sermons with passion and focus. God deserves your full attention (John 4:23).
08. Serve With Joy
- Do every task “as for the Lord.” Work hard at whatever you do as spiritual worship (Colossians 3:23-24).
09. Pursue Holiness
- Cooperate with the Holy Spirit to put sin to death and live in purity (Hebrews 12:14).
10. Give Thanks Always
- Cultivate a heart of gratitude in all circumstances. Thank God for His mercy and grace (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
The more you seek God in every part of life, the more pleasing your life will be to Him.
It’s not about trying to earn salvation, but responding to the gift of grace we’ve been given.
Key Takeaways on Pleasing God
- Without faith in Christ, it’s impossible to please God. Faith must come first.
- God wants you to grow continually in obedience, holiness, love, and Christlike character.
- Pleasing God means wholeheartedly obeying His Word and loving Him above all.
- Your “spiritual worship” involves offering your entire life to God as a living sacrifice.
- God is pleased when you generously serve and share with others.
- A vibrant prayer life, Scripture reading, praise, and thanksgiving please God.
- Your mind and actions should align with the leading of the Holy Spirit.
- Do everything you do “as for the Lord” – work hard and honor God.
- Proclaiming the gospel and telling people about Jesus pleases God.
- Pursuing intimacy with God should be your top priority in life.
The Christian life is all about loving God and living for His glory. When your focus is on pleasing God, your joy will be complete and His kingdom will advance.
Let’s passionately pursue honoring Him with all that we are and all that we have!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How can I know for sure if something pleases God or not?
A. The only way to definitively know if something pleases God is to examine it in light of Scripture. God’s Word reveals His will, commands, and desires for us.
If what you’re considering aligns with biblical principles, values, and instructions, you can be confident it pleases God.
The Holy Spirit also convicts us of sin and guides us into truth, so listening to His voice is crucial.
Q. Why does God care about us pleasing Him?
A. God deeply loves you and desires a close relationship with you as His child.
Like any good Father, He wants what is best for you – and what is best is living in alignment with His commandments.
Sin breaks your fellowship with God and leads to pain and destruction. Pleasing God allows you to experience the blessings of obedience.
Q. Is God more pleased when I do big things for Him or small things?
A. God is pleased by both small acts of obedience in your daily routine and the big sacrifices you make for His glory.
Don’t underestimate the importance of pleasing God in the small, daily choices you make – avoiding gossip, giving generously, showing patience, etc.
At the same time, radical acts of obedience that require faith please God immensely. Ultimately, what matters most is the motivation of your heart.
Q. What if I really want to please God but still fail and fall into sin sometimes?
A. Thankfully, your relationship with God is not based on perfection but on grace.
When you stumble and fail, you can repent and receive God’s forgiveness. You shouldn’t use grace as an excuse for willful disobedience, but it should give you hope.
As you seek intimacy with Christ, the power of sin will be broken more and more. Your righteousness comes from Him.
Q. How can I find pleasure in pleasing God rather than seeing it as a burden?
A. Pleasing God can feel burdensome when your relationship with Him is stagnant.
The key is to pursue intimacy with God daily through prayer, Bible study, worship, fellowship, etc.
As you taste His incredible love and goodness, pleasing Him becomes your joy rather than duty.
Let His amazing grace and the promise of eternal rewards motivate you.
Q. What does it mean to be a child of God?
A. Being a child of God means having a personal relationship with God and being part of His family by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and thereafter obeying His teachings.
Q. What does it mean to please the Lord?
A. Pleasing the Lord refers to living a life that is aligned with God’s will and following His commandments.
Q. How can I become acceptable to God?
A. To become acceptable to God, it is important to have a genuine relationship with Him, seek His forgiveness, and live a life that reflects His teachings.
Q. What does it mean to be pleasing to the Lord?
A. Being pleasing to the Lord means living a life that honors Him and brings Him joy.
Q. What is the Kingdom of God?
A. The Kingdom of God refers to the reign and rule of God over all creation, both in heaven and on earth.
Q. How important is sincerity of heart in pleasing God?
A. Sincerity of heart is crucial in pleasing God as it reflects your genuine intentions and commitment to Him.
Q. How can I please God when I am still trying?
A. God values your efforts and the desire to please Him, even when you fall short. He appreciates your continuous striving to live according to His will.
Q. How can I know God?
A. You can know God by reading His Word, prayer, and deepening your relationship with Him through faith and trust.
Q. What is the meaning of “please man”?
A. The phrase “please man” refers to the act of trying to satisfy or appease another human being.
Q. How can I try to please others?
A. To try to please others, it’s important to consider their needs and preferences, and make an effort to meet them.
