In the journey of faith, prioritizing God above all else is a profound aspect of Christian living. The Bible is replete with verses that echo the importance of placing God first in our hearts and lives, ensuring that our spiritual priorities align with His divine will. Below are Bible verses that highlight the significance of putting God first in all aspects of life.
Bible Verses About Putting God First
1. Matthew 6:33 – Seek First His Kingdom
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33
Cross-References
Luke 12:31 – “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.”
Colossians 3:1 – “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”
Romans 14:17 – “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
2. Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
Cross-References
Psalms 37:5 – “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this.”
Isaiah 26:3 – “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Jeremiah 17:7 – “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”
3. Exodus 20:3 – No Other Gods
“You shall have no other gods before me.” – Exodus 20:3
Cross-References
Deuteronomy 6:14 – “Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you.”
1 Kings 18:21 – “Elijah went before the people and said, ‘How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.'”
Joshua 24:15 – “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.”
4. Deuteronomy 6:5 – Love the Lord Your God
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” – Deuteronomy 6:5
Cross-References
Luke 10:27 – “He answered: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.'”
5. Psalm 37:4 – Delight in the Lord
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” – Psalm 37:4
Cross-References
Isaiah 58:14 – “Then you will find your joy in the Lord, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land.”
Psalm 94:19 – “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”
Philippians 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
6. Matthew 10:37 – Worthy of Me
“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” – Matthew 10:37
Cross-References
Luke 14:26 – “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.”
James 4:4 – “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God?”
Revelation 2:4 – “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.”
7. Luke 9:23 – Take Up Your Cross
“Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’” – Luke 9:23
Cross-References
Matthew 16:24 – “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.'”
Mark 8:34 – “Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.'”
John 12:25 – “Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”
8. Philippians 3:8 – Knowing Christ Jesus
“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.” – Philippians 3:8
Cross-References
Philippians 3:10 – “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”
Romans 8:18 – “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
Luke 14:33 – “In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.”
9. John 3:30 – He Must Become Greater
“He must become greater; I must become less.” – John 3:30
Cross-References
Matthew 16:25 – “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.”
Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”
Colossians 3:3 – “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”
10. Isaiah 55:6-7 – Seek the Lord
“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:6-7
Cross-References
Jeremiah 29:13 – “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Amos 5:4 – “This is what the Lord says to Israel: ‘Seek me and live.'”
Matthew 7:7 – “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
11. 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.” – Romans 12:1
Cross-References
1 Corinthians 6:20 – “You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
1 Peter 2:5 – “You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
Hebrews 13:15 – “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.”
12. Mark 12:30 – Love the Lord
“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
Cross-References
Matthew 22:37-38 – “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.'”
1 John 5:3 – “In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.”
13. Colossians 3:2 – Set Your Minds
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” – Colossians 3:2
Cross-References
Philippians 3:20 – “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Corinthians 4:18 – “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Romans 8:5 – “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.”
While you’re here, why not explore our latest article on: Bible verses about Making Time For God (With Cross-References)
14. Psalm 16:8 – Always Before Me
“I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” – Psalm 16:8
Cross-References
Psalm 27:8 – “My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, Lord, I will seek.”
Psalm 62:2 – “Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”
Hebrews 12:2 – “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
15. 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.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
Cross-References
1 Peter 4:11 – “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”
Matthew 5:16 – “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
16. Matthew 4:10 – Worship the Lord
“Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”‘” – Matthew 4:10
Cross-References
Deuteronomy 6:13 – “Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.”
Exodus 23:25 – “Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you.”
John 4:24 – “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
17. Deuteronomy 8:3 – Man Does Not Live on Bread Alone
“He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” – Deuteronomy 8:3
Cross-References
Matthew 4:4 – “Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”‘”
Luke 4:4 – “Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone.”‘
Job 23:12 – “I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.”
18. James 4:8 – Come Near to God
“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” – James 4:8
Cross-References
Hebrews 10:22 – “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”
Psalm 145:18 – “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
Jeremiah 29:12 – “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”
19. 2 Chronicles 7:14 – Humble Prayer and Seeking
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14
Cross-References
Psalm 85:6 – “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?”
Joel 2:13 – “Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.”
Ezekiel 18:30 – “Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.”
20. Isaiah 26:9 – Longing for God
“My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.” – Isaiah 26:9
Cross-References
Psalms 42:1 – “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.”
Psalms 63:1 – “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.”
Psalms 84:2 – “My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”
21. Proverbs 16:3 – Commit to the Lord
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” – Proverbs 16:3
Cross-References
Psalms 37:4-5 – “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this.”
Psalms 55:22 – “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
Proverbs 3:6 – “In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
22. John 15:5 – Vine and Branches
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5
Cross-References
John 15:16 – “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”
Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
23. Psalms 34:10 – Those Who Seek the Lord
“The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” – Psalms 34:10
Cross-References
Psalms 84:11 – “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.”
Psalms 23:1 – “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”
24. 2 Corinthians 5:9 – Aim to Please Him
“So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.” – 2 Corinthians 5:9
Cross-References
Colossians 1:10 – “So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.”
1 Thessalonians 2:4 – “On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.”
Hebrews 11:6 – “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
25. Isaiah 29:13 – Lip Service
“The Lord says: ‘These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.’” – Isaiah 29:13
Cross-References
Matthew 15:8-9 – “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.'”
Ezekiel 33:31 – “My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain.”
Mark 7:6-7 – “He replied, ‘Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.”'”
26. Joshua 1:8 – Meditate on the Law
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” – Joshua 1:8
Cross-References
Psalms 1:2 – “But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.”
Psalms 119:15 – “I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.”
Deuteronomy 11:18 – “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.”
27. Psalm 119:105 – Lamp to My Feet
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” – Psalm 119:105
Cross-References
Proverbs 6:23 – “For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life.”
2 Peter 1:19 – “We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place.”
Job 29:3 – “When his lamp shone on my head and by his light I walked through darkness!”
28. Romans 8:28 – All Things Work For Good
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28
Cross-References
Romans 8:29 – “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”
Philippians 1:6 – “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 – “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
29. James 1:5 – Wisdom from God
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” – James 1:5
Cross-References
Proverbs 2:6 – “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
Colossians 2:3 – “In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
1 Kings 3:9 – “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.”
30. 1 John 2:17 – The World Passes Away
“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” – 1 John 2:17
Cross-References
Matthew 24:35 – “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
1 Peter 1:24-25 – “For, ‘All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.'”
31. Psalm 46:10 – Be Still
“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’” – Psalm 46:10
Cross-References
Exodus 14:14 – “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Isaiah 2:11 – “The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled and human pride brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.”
Habakkuk 2:20 – “The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.”
32. Ecclesiastes 12:13 – Fear God and Keep His Commandments
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” – Ecclesiastes 12:13
Cross-References
Deuteronomy 10:12 – “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”
Psalms 111:10 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.”
Proverbs 1:7 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Also check out this article on: Bible verses about Surrendering To God (With Cross-References)
Final Thoughts
Prioritizing God in our lives is not simply about a checklist of duties but rather a transformative, heart-filled devotion that shapes our daily actions, thoughts, and desires to align with His perfect will. Advances in life clarity are promised when God’s wisdom is sought after, rather than worldly wisdom. Simple gestures like seeking God through prayer, immersing in His Word, and inviting Him into every decision can vastly improve our spiritual journey.
Placing God first leads to profound peace, purpose, and joy, and positions us to receive His guidance in all areas of life. The verses discussed here remind believers that yielding to God’s supremacy assures a fulfilled and righteous journey – a journey that blossoms into a testimony of faith and reliance on Him above all things. Let us endeavor each day to reaffirm our commitment to God’s sovereignty, trusting Him with every aspect of life, for in Him we find the truest expression of life itself.