Pleasing God
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Introduction:
The concept of pleasing God is central to Christian theology and practice. It encompasses living a life that aligns with God's will, commands, and desires as revealed in Scripture. Pleasing God is not merely about external actions but involves the heart's intentions and faith.

Biblical Foundation:
The Bible provides numerous insights into what it means to please God. In Hebrews 11:6 , it is stated, "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." This verse underscores the necessity of faith as a foundational element in pleasing God.

Faith and Obedience:
Faith is intricately linked with obedience. In John 14:15 , Jesus says, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." Obedience to God's commandments is a tangible expression of faith and love, which pleases God. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 12:1 , urges believers, "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship."

Righteous Living:
Living a righteous life is another aspect of pleasing God. Proverbs 21:3 states, "To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice." This highlights that God values ethical living and justice over ritualistic offerings. Similarly, Micah 6:8 encapsulates what God requires: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

The Role of the Holy Spirit:
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in enabling believers to please God. Romans 8:8-9 explains, "Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you." The indwelling of the Holy Spirit empowers believers to overcome sinful desires and live in a manner that pleases God.

Love and Service:
Love is a central theme in pleasing God. In 1 John 4:7-8 , it is written, "Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." Serving others in love is a reflection of God's character and is pleasing to Him.

Prayer and Worship:
Prayer and worship are vital expressions of a life that seeks to please God. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 , Paul exhorts, "Rejoice at all times. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." A life of continuous prayer and gratitude aligns with God's will and is pleasing to Him.

Conclusion:
While the Bible does not provide an exhaustive list of actions that please God, it emphasizes a heart posture of faith, obedience, righteousness, love, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. These elements collectively contribute to a life that seeks to honor and please God in all things.
Topical Bible Verses
1 Thessalonians 4:1
Furthermore then we beseech you, brothers, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as you have received of us how you ought to walk and to please God, so you would abound more and more.
Topicalbible.org

1 Thessalonians 2:4
But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which tries our hearts.
Topicalbible.org

Job 34:9
For he has said, It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.
Topicalbible.org

Greek
2101. euarestos -- well-pleasing
... euarestos Phonetic Spelling: (yoo-ar'-es-tos) Short Definition: acceptable,
well-pleasing Definition: acceptable, well-pleasing (especially to God), grateful. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2101.htm - 7k

441. anthropareskos -- man-pleasing
... ro-par'-es-kos) Short Definition: desirous of pleasing men Definition: desirous
of pleasing men, a renderer of service to human beings (as opposed to God). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/441.htm - 6k

2107. eudokia -- good pleasure
... deem you worthy of the calling, and may fulfill every (2107 , of God) that comes ...
pleasure (1), good will (1), kind intention (2), pleased (1), well-pleasing (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2107.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew
2870. tab'el -- "good for nothing," an Aramean (Syrian)
... Tabeal, Tabeel From towb and 'el; pleasing (to) God; Tabeel, the name of a Syrian
and of a Persian -- Tabeal, Tabeel. see HEBREW towb. see HEBREW 'el. ...
/hebrew/2870.htm - 5k
Library

Fifteenth Day. Pleasing God.
... PLEASING GOD. ... For a moment, sinking human nature faltered under the load His Godhead
sustained; but the thought of "pleasing God" nerved and revived Him. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/macduff/the mind of jesus/fifteenth day pleasing god.htm

Of the Perplexity of a Heart which Loves Without Knowing Whether ...
... it. O how happy is the heart that loves God without pretence of any other
pleasure than what it takes in pleasing God! For what ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xi of the perplexity.htm

"So Then they that are in the Flesh Cannot Please God. "
... the very righteousness and professed piety of the Pharisees, Luke 16:15, the more
you please yourselves and the world, the further you are from pleasing God. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxii so then they.htm

Perfect Righteousness was Conferred Neither by Circumcision nor by ...
... So also did Noah, pleasing God, although he was uncircumcised, receive the dimensions
[of the ark], of the world of the second race [of men]. ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xvi perfect righteousness was conferred.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xi. 39, "Now do Ye Pharisees ...
... Hear the Scripture; "Have mercy on thine own soul, pleasing God." [3388] Do alms,
"Have mercy on thine own soul, pleasing God." Thine own soul is a beggar ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lvi on the words.htm

Such a Confession is Pleasing to God.
... Chapter LII."Such a confession is pleasing to God. The Lord, brethren,
stands in need of nothing; and He desires nothing of any ...
/.../chapter lii such a confession is.htm

Such a Confession is Pleasing to God.
... The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians. Chapter LII."Such a
Confession is Pleasing to God. The Lord, brethren, stands ...
/.../keith/the epistles of clement/chapter lii such a confession is.htm

Of the Sacrifices Offered to God by the Saints, which are to be ...
... Book XX. Chapter 26."Of the Sacrifices Offered to God by the Saints, Which are to
Be Pleasing to Him, as in the Primitive Days and Former Years. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 26 of the sacrifices offered.htm

The Works of the Unregenerate Can be Pleasing to God, and are ...
... ARTICLE XVI The works of the unregenerate can be pleasing to God, and are (according
to Borrius) the occasion, and (according to Arminius) the impulsive cause ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/article xvi the works of.htm

Of the vice of those Who, While Pleasing Themselves, Displease God ...
... Book X. Chapter XXXIX."Of the Vice of Those Who, While Pleasing Themselves,
Displease God. 64. Within also, within is another ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter xxxix of the vice of.htm

Resources
How can I know what pleases God? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that Christians are the aroma of Christ? | GotQuestions.org

What should I do if I cannot decide whom I should be dating? | GotQuestions.org

Pleasing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Pleasing

Pleasing God

Pleasing Man

Pleasing Your Husband

Related Terms

Well-pleasing (16 Occurrences)

Self-pleasing (1 Occurrence)

Lovely (19 Occurrences)

Relish (1 Occurrence)

Sweet (147 Occurrences)

Looks (76 Occurrences)

Please (324 Occurrences)

Pleases (51 Occurrences)

Trying (68 Occurrences)

Acceptable (48 Occurrences)

Approval (75 Occurrences)

Melody (55 Occurrences)

Yes (511 Occurrences)

Fair (147 Occurrences)

Detests (7 Occurrences)

Dishonest (33 Occurrences)

Mothers (27 Occurrences)

Proving (14 Occurrences)

Pretty (1 Occurrence)

Behaviour (115 Occurrences)

Ambitious (6 Occurrences)

Adorn (13 Occurrences)

Arguments (29 Occurrences)

Savor (51 Occurrences)

Soft (36 Occurrences)

Smell (77 Occurrences)

Unable (102 Occurrences)

Experience (28 Occurrences)

Argument (45 Occurrences)

Suggestion (25 Occurrences)

Fully (153 Occurrences)

Entrusted (55 Occurrences)

Wouldn't (67 Occurrences)

Pleased (172 Occurrences)

Decision (174 Occurrences)

Try (84 Occurrences)

Payment (168 Occurrences)

Sight (522 Occurrences)

Pleaseth (13 Occurrences)

Offering (850 Occurrences)

Prove (83 Occurrences)

Thus (1271 Occurrences)

Fragrance (63 Occurrences)

Sort (143 Occurrences)

Offerings (480 Occurrences)

Seems (99 Occurrences)

Voice (651 Occurrences)

Beautiful (152 Occurrences)

Perfect (205 Occurrences)

Anything (462 Occurrences)

Expert (59 Occurrences)

Note (129 Occurrences)

Really (100 Occurrences)

Weights (14 Occurrences)

Fathers (572 Occurrences)

Wrote (74 Occurrences)

Disgusting (149 Occurrences)

Lead (192 Occurrences)

Pleasant (119 Occurrences)

Changed (177 Occurrences)

Learn (76 Occurrences)

Pleasure (331 Occurrences)

Purpose (448 Occurrences)

Seek (368 Occurrences)

Family (438 Occurrences)

Gracious (106 Occurrences)

Borne (172 Occurrences)

Yea (867 Occurrences)

Quietly (30 Occurrences)

Naked (56 Occurrences)

Nice (1 Occurrence)

Nica'nor (1 Occurrence)

Nicola'us (1 Occurrence)

Unsexed (26 Occurrences)

Unpleasant (3 Occurrences)

Unacceptable (1 Occurrence)

Overseer (84 Occurrences)

Overruling (2 Occurrences)

Pleasing Aroma to the LORD
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