Putting God first is at the heart of a fulfilling, purpose-driven life. The Bible offers wisdom on aligning our priorities to focus on faith, reminding us that when we seek God above all else, everything else falls into place. This focus on God’s guidance brings peace, direction, and strength, even through life’s most challenging moments.
Throughout Scripture, we’re encouraged to let go of distractions and pursue a relationship with God that impacts every area of our lives. By choosing to place Him first, we open ourselves to His wisdom and blessings.
These Bible verses on putting God first inspire a deeper commitment to faith, showing how prioritizing God transforms our decisions, relationships, and purpose.
Top 23 Bible Verses About Putting God First
1. Matthew 6:33
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Matthew 6:33 emphasizes the importance of prioritizing God’s kingdom and His righteousness above all earthly concerns. When we put God first, He promises to provide for our needs, freeing us from worry and allowing us to focus on spiritual growth. This verse assures us that our relationship with God brings the true security we seek.
By centering our lives on God, we establish a foundation for lasting peace and fulfillment. Seeking His kingdom first helps us navigate life with purpose, knowing that God is actively guiding our steps and taking care of what we need.
2. Proverbs 3:6
“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Proverbs 3:6 encourages believers to seek God’s guidance in every area of life. Acknowledging God is an act of faith, allowing Him to direct our lives and remove obstacles in our way. This verse reminds us that surrendering control to God leads to clarity and assurance.
Putting God first helps us avoid unnecessary struggles, as we trust His wisdom over our own understanding. When we seek His will, our paths become smoother, and we are better equipped to navigate the challenges that arise.
3. Exodus 20:3
“You shall have no other gods before me.”
Exodus 20:3, the first of the Ten Commandments, calls us to prioritize God above everything else. This commandment emphasizes God’s position as the ultimate authority and devotion in our lives. By placing Him first, we resist the temptation to elevate other desires or possessions.
This verse serves as a reminder to keep God as our focus, removing anything that competes with His place in our hearts. When we honor this command, we align ourselves with God’s will and experience a deeper connection with Him.
4. Luke 9:23
“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’”
In Luke 9:23, Jesus calls us to a life of self-denial and commitment. Following Him requires that we put aside our own desires and prioritize His will, taking up our cross each day. This verse challenges us to choose God’s path over personal comfort.
Living in devotion to God means continually surrendering our lives to His purpose. By taking up our cross daily, we grow spiritually, finding strength and fulfillment in God’s plans over our own.
5. Deuteronomy 6:5
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”
Deuteronomy 6:5 urges us to love God with every part of our being. This wholehearted devotion leaves no room for divided loyalty, urging us to place God above everything. Loving God fully helps shape our thoughts, actions, and decisions.
This verse calls us to a deep, genuine commitment that aligns our desires with His will. When we put God first, we live in a way that honors Him, impacting every part of our lives with His love and purpose.
6. Psalm 37:4
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:4 invites us to find our joy in God, encouraging a relationship that centers on His presence. When we delight in God, our desires naturally align with His, leading to a fulfilling, purpose-driven life. This verse speaks to the blessings that come from placing God first.
Finding joy in God reshapes our priorities, focusing our hearts on what truly matters. As we draw near to Him, we discover a life that’s enriched by His love and guided by His wisdom.
7. Colossians 3:2
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
Colossians 3:2 encourages believers to prioritize spiritual matters over earthly distractions. By focusing on God, we keep our hearts aligned with eternal values rather than temporary concerns. This verse invites us to live with a perspective that honors God’s kingdom.
Setting our minds on heavenly things transforms our everyday lives, filling us with purpose and grounding us in faith. This perspective helps us place God first, allowing His truth to shape how we live and interact with the world.
8. John 3:30
“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
John 3:30 captures John the Baptist’s humility and devotion to God’s purpose over personal recognition. This verse calls us to let God’s presence grow within us, placing His plans above our own ambitions. Prioritizing God means seeking His glory rather than self-promotion.
By allowing God to increase, we make room for His purpose to take center stage in our lives. This perspective helps us grow spiritually, living out our faith with humility and commitment to God’s will.
9. Isaiah 26:3
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
Isaiah 26:3 reassures us that keeping our focus on God brings peace. Trusting in God provides a steady foundation, helping us navigate life’s challenges without anxiety. This verse encourages believers to make God their primary source of peace and stability.
When we place God at the center, we experience a sense of calm that transcends circumstances. Focusing on Him gives us the strength to face life’s uncertainties with a heart grounded in trust and faith.
10. Matthew 10:37
“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”
Matthew 10:37 challenges us to prioritize our relationship with God even above familial ties. Jesus emphasizes that our love for God must be supreme, guiding our decisions and loyalties. This verse reminds us of the depth of commitment involved in putting God first.
When we place God above all else, our relationships are enriched with His love and purpose. By honoring God as our greatest devotion, we set a foundation for healthier, spiritually rooted connections.
11. Psalm 16:8
“I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.”
Psalm 16:8 speaks to the strength and stability found in placing God at the center. Keeping God before us helps us remain unshaken, no matter the challenges we face. This verse encourages a steadfast focus on God’s presence.
Setting the Lord always before us empowers us to navigate life’s difficulties with resilience. Prioritizing God gives us confidence, knowing He upholds and supports us through every trial.
12. James 4:8
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”
James 4:8 promises that when we seek God, He meets us with open arms. Drawing near to God nurtures a close relationship, allowing us to experience His love and guidance. This verse encourages us to prioritize closeness with God above worldly pursuits.
When we put God first, we foster a deep connection that transforms our lives. Through this relationship, we gain wisdom, comfort, and the assurance of His constant presence.
13. Galatians 2:20
“It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”
Galatians 2:20 reflects the transformation that occurs when Christ becomes the central focus of our lives. Putting God first means surrendering our own desires, allowing Christ’s presence to guide us. This verse speaks to the profound change in identity that comes from living for God.
When Christ lives within us, our lives become a reflection of His love and purpose. This surrender to God’s will brings new meaning and fulfillment, aligning us with His greater plan.
14. Proverbs 16:3
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
Proverbs 16:3 encourages us to dedicate our efforts and goals to God. When we commit our work to Him, He provides guidance and success, leading to fulfilling achievements. This verse reminds us that prioritizing God brings blessing and purpose to our endeavors.
Placing God at the center of our work allows us to approach challenges with confidence. Through this commitment, our actions are grounded in faith, and our plans are directed by His wisdom.
15. Romans 12:1
“I appeal to you… to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.”
Romans 12:1 calls believers to live lives dedicated to God, offering themselves fully to His service. This commitment requires that we prioritize God’s will, shaping our actions and choices. Living as a living sacrifice means placing God’s desires above our own.
When we make God our focus, our lives become a testimony of faith and dedication. This commitment allows us to experience a purpose that aligns with God’s greater plan, bringing us peace and fulfillment.
16. Matthew 22:37
“And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’”
Matthew 22:37 is a commandment that directs believers to love God wholeheartedly, making Him the priority in every aspect of life. Loving God with our entire heart, soul, and mind means our devotion is undivided, deeply personal, and constant. This verse reminds us that putting God first is essential to a meaningful relationship with Him.
When we love God fully, our choices and actions reflect His values, shaping a life centered on His will. This commitment allows us to grow spiritually, fostering a deep connection that influences all areas of our lives.
17. Philippians 3:8
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”
Philippians 3:8 highlights the incomparable value of a relationship with Christ. Paul expresses that everything else pales in comparison to knowing Jesus, showing us the importance of valuing God above all earthly pursuits. This verse encourages us to treasure our relationship with God more than worldly gains.
By prioritizing Christ, we gain perspective on what truly matters, letting go of distractions that compete with our faith. Through this focus, we experience the fulfillment that only comes from a life fully committed to Him.
18. Jeremiah 29:13
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:13 promises that when we earnestly seek God, we will find Him. This verse encourages us to pursue a relationship with God wholeheartedly, dedicating ourselves to Him without reservation. Seeking God with all our heart reflects a deep desire to put Him first in our lives.
This promise offers hope and assurance that God responds to sincere devotion. When we prioritize our relationship with Him, we open ourselves to His guidance, comfort, and wisdom in every situation.
19. Psalm 73:25
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.”
Psalm 73:25 is a powerful declaration of God’s supreme value in the believer’s life. The psalmist expresses that nothing else compares to God’s presence, encouraging us to find our greatest joy and satisfaction in Him alone. This verse emphasizes a love for God that surpasses all earthly attachments.
By desiring God above all, we find purpose and peace that material things cannot provide. This focus on God draws us closer to Him, deepening our faith and enriching our lives with His presence.
20. Hebrews 12:2
“Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.”
Hebrews 12:2 calls believers to fix their eyes on Jesus, who both initiates and completes our faith. By focusing on Jesus, we prioritize His example, teachings, and sacrifice, allowing Him to shape our lives. This verse encourages us to put Jesus at the center of our faith journey.
Looking to Jesus helps us navigate life’s challenges with hope and strength. Placing Him first strengthens our resilience, guiding us to live with purpose and dedication to God’s will.
21. Psalm 27:4
“One thing have I asked of the Lord… that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.”
Psalm 27:4 expresses a deep desire to be in God’s presence continually. The psalmist’s longing to dwell with God reminds us to seek closeness with Him as our ultimate priority. This verse emphasizes that our relationship with God should be our greatest aspiration.
By valuing time in God’s presence, we cultivate a heart of worship and devotion. This focus helps us experience God’s peace and love, allowing His presence to transform our lives.
22. Mark 12:30
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”
Mark 12:30 reinforces the command to love God with every part of our being. This verse calls for complete devotion, showing that God should hold the highest place in our hearts, minds, and actions. Loving God fully means aligning every aspect of our lives with His will.
When we put God first in this way, we reflect His love in everything we do. This commitment brings purpose to our lives, helping us to live in a way that honors Him above all else.
23. 1 Corinthians 10:31
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 encourages us to honor God in every aspect of life, even in simple daily actions. This verse reminds us that putting God first isn’t limited to big decisions—it applies to everything we do. Living for God’s glory helps us keep Him at the forefront, regardless of the task.
By glorifying God in all things, we build a life that reflects His character and purpose. This perspective ensures that we continually align ourselves with His will, inviting His presence into every moment of our lives.
Conclusion
Putting God first invites peace, purpose, and clarity into every area of our lives. These Bible verses remind us that when we prioritize our relationship with Him, everything else aligns, providing strength and direction even in challenging times.
Living with God as our foundation transforms our choices, shaping our values and perspectives to reflect His love and wisdom. This deep commitment not only strengthens our faith but enriches our relationships and goals.
By seeking God above all else, we experience His blessings and find fulfillment that earthly pursuits cannot offer, guiding us to live fully in His grace and purpose.
