35 Bible Verses About Putting God First
Putting God first in our lives is a journey filled with challenges and blessings. Here are 35 Bible verses that express the importance of prioritizing God in everything. Each verse is a reminder of His presence in our lives and how we can align our daily actions with His will.
1. Matthew 6:33 – Seeking God First
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Putting God first in our lives means prioritizing our relationship with Him above all else, trusting that He will provide for our needs. This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking God's kingdom and righteousness before worrying about worldly matters, reminding us that when we focus on God, He takes care of the rest.
2. Exodus 20:3 – No Other Gods
"You shall have no other gods before me."
Acknowledging God as the supreme authority means rejecting the placement of anything or anyone as higher in our lives. This commandment calls us to devote our worship exclusively to God, recognizing Him as the one true God, which is foundational to putting Him first in everything.
3. Psalm 37:4 – Delight in the Lord
"Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."
When we find our joy and satisfaction in God, He aligns our desires with His will. This verse teaches that by putting God first and delighting in Him, He grants us the desires of our heart, which reflects a relationship with God where our wants become a reflection of His will.
4. Proverbs 3:6 – Acknowledge God in All Ways
"In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
To put God first, we must acknowledge Him in all our decisions and paths, trusting that He will guide us rightly. This wisdom encourages us to seek God's direction in every aspect of our lives, ensuring our paths align with His plans and purposes.
5. Luke 14:27 – Carrying Our Cross
"And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."
Following Jesus requires the willingness to bear our own crosses, symbolizing a life of sacrifice and commitment to God's ways. This act of carrying our cross daily is a profound expression of putting God first, demonstrating our readiness to endure hardship for the sake of Christ.
6. Philippians 2:3 – Humility Before God
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves."
Putting God first involves embracing humility, valuing others above ourselves in the spirit of Christ's selflessness. This mindset shifts our focus from self-centeredness to a God-centered life, where humility before God and others is paramount.
7. John 3:30 – He Must Become Greater
"He must become greater; I must become less."
John the Baptist's declaration that Jesus must increase while he decreases captures the essence of putting God first—allowing God's presence and purpose to grow in our lives while our own agendas diminish. This reflects a life dedicated to magnifying God above all.
8. Colossians 3:2 – Set Your Minds on Things Above
"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."
Prioritizing God means focusing our thoughts on divine, eternal matters rather than earthly, temporary ones. This instruction guides us to align our minds with God's heavenly perspective, keeping our spiritual priorities above worldly distractions.
9. Galatians 2:20 – Crucified with Christ
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me…"
Living a life where Christ lives in us signifies the ultimate act of putting God first, acknowledging that our old selves have been crucified with Christ. This profound unity with Christ means living by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us.
10. Romans 12:1 – 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."
Presenting ourselves as living sacrifices to God is an act of worship that puts Him first, dedicating our lives to His service and glory. This commitment involves a transformation of our hearts and minds, aligning our lives with God's will.
11. Psalm 16:8 – God Always Before Me
"I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken."
Keeping God always before us ensures that we will not be shaken, as His presence provides stability and direction. This verse speaks to the importance of constant awareness of God's proximity, guiding our steps and decisions.
12. Hebrews 12:2 – Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
"Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith..."
Putting God first means focusing on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, whose example inspires us to endure and overcome. Fixing our eyes on Him helps us navigate life's challenges with faith and perseverance.
13. 1 John 4:19 – Loving Because He First Loved Us
"We love because He first loved us."
Our ability to love God and others stems from His initial love for us, which calls us to put Him first in our lives. This reciprocal love relationship motivates us to live out His love in our interactions and choices.
14. Psalm 1:2 – Delight in the Law of the Lord
"But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night."
Finding delight in God's law involves immersing ourselves in His Word, allowing it to guide our thoughts and actions. This dedication to God's teachings is a foundational aspect of putting Him first, shaping our lives according to His will.
15. Joshua 24:15 – Serving the Lord
"...But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
Choosing to serve the Lord above all else reflects a deliberate decision to put God first, regardless of the prevailing cultural or societal norms. This choice signifies a commitment to follow God's ways and lead our families in His paths.
16. Psalm 46:10 – Be Still and Know
"Be still, and know that I am God..."
In stillness, we recognize God's sovereignty and power, a practice essential to putting Him first. This verse invites us to pause and acknowledge God's greatness, fostering a deeper trust and reliance on Him.
17. Mark 8:34 – Denying Ourselves
"...Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."
Denying ourselves to follow Jesus is a clear directive for putting God first, requiring us to forsake our own desires in favor of His calling. This self-denial is a cornerstone of discipleship, leading us to a life fully aligned with God's purposes.
18. Psalm 105:4 – Seek the Lord
"Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always."
Actively seeking the Lord is a way to prioritize our spiritual journey, focusing on His strength and presence. This pursuit of God signifies our commitment to put Him first, constantly striving to deepen our relationship with Him
19. Matthew 5:16 – Let Your Light Shine
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Letting our light shine before others by doing good works glorifies God, demonstrating our priority to live out His commands. This visible expression of our faith and obedience is a way to put God first, influencing the world around us.
20. James 4:7 – Submit to God
"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
Submission to God involves yielding our will to His, a fundamental aspect of putting Him first. This submission leads to resisting temptation and drawing closer to God, aligning our lives under His sovereign rule.
21. Psalm 84:10 – A Day in Your Courts
"Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked."
Valuing even a single day in God's presence above thousands elsewhere reflects a heart that puts God first, cherishing time with Him above all worldly pleasures. This verse underscores the incomparable joy and fulfillment found in God's presence.
22. Luke 9:23 – Daily Taking Up the Cross
"Then he said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'"
Choosing to take up our cross daily and follow Jesus is an ongoing commitment to put God first, embodying a life of surrender and obedience. This daily discipline is a testament to our dedication to living according to Christ's example.
23. Proverbs 16:3 – Commit to the Lord
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."
Committing our work to the Lord ensures our plans align with His, a key aspect of putting Him first. This trust in God's guidance and provision reflects a life oriented towards serving and glorifying Him in all we do.
24. Psalm 63:1 – God, You Are My God
"You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water."
Expressing a deep thirst for God above all else demonstrates a heart wholly devoted to putting Him first. This passionate pursuit of God highlights our dependence on and desire for His presence in every aspect of our lives.
25. 1 Corinthians 10:31 – Do It All for God's Glory
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
Doing everything for God's glory is the ultimate way to put Him first. This principle encourages us to live each moment with the intention of honoring God, making our entire lives a reflection of His greatness.
26. Psalm 27:4 – One Thing I Ask
"One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple."
Desiring to dwell in God's house all the days of our life to gaze upon His beauty prioritizes our relationship with Him above all else. This singular focus on God illustrates a commitment to seek Him first, valuing His presence as our greatest treasure.
27. Matthew 10:38 – Take Up the Cross
"And whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me."
Taking up our cross and following Jesus is a call to discipleship that requires prioritizing Him above our own lives. This commitment to bear our cross is a clear indication of putting God first, embracing the sacrifices involved in following Christ.
28. Philippians 3:8 – Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ
"What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ."
Considering everything as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus emphasizes the value of putting God first. This perspective places our relationship with Christ at the center of our existence, above all worldly achievements or possessions.
29. Psalm 119:10 – Seek You with All My Heart
"I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands."
Seeking God with all our heart is a pledge to put Him first, dedicating every part of our being to pursuing Him. This wholehearted search for God reflects a deep desire to know Him more intimately and to align our lives with His will.
30. Luke 10:27 – Love God with All Your Being
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind…"
Loving God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind is the greatest commandment, captures the essence of putting God first. This comprehensive love for God directs every aspect of our lives, ensuring our actions and thoughts are governed by our devotion to Him.
31. Jeremiah 29:13 – Seek Me with All Your Heart
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
God promises that when we seek Him with all our heart, we will find Him, highlighting the importance of prioritizing our relationship with Him. This commitment to seek God fervently is a foundational aspect of putting Him first, leading to a deeper understanding and connection with Him.
32. Psalm 34:10 – Seek the Lord
"The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing."
Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing, illustrating the provision and fulfillment that come from putting Him first. This assurance motivates us to prioritize our spiritual pursuit of God, trusting in His goodness and care.
33. Psalm 9:10 – Those Who Know Your Name Trust You
"Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you."
Trusting in God flows from knowing Him, which is a result of prioritizing our relationship with Him. This trust reflects a life oriented around God, where putting Him first leads to a deepened faith and reliance on His character.
34. Proverbs 8:17 – I Love Those Who Love Me
"I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me."
God's reciprocal love for those who love Him encourages us to put Him first, assuring us of His favor and presence. This promise of love and blessing for those who prioritize their relationship with God motivates us to seek Him above all else.
35. Psalm 143:8 – Show Me the Way I Should Go
"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life."
Asking God to guide our steps each day is an act of putting Him first, seeking His will in every decision. This prayer for direction acknowledges our dependence on God's wisdom and guidance, aiming to align our paths with His purposes.
