What Pleases God and Makes Him Smile?

What does it mean to please someone? According to the dictionary, it means to act to the pleasure or satisfaction of someone.

If we love someone, we want to please them; we want to put a smile on their face—it is not a burden but a joy (1 Jn 5:3)!

The best way to find out what would please someone is to simply ask them. We don’t have to play needless guessing games. So why not ask God? He tells us in Scripture and, in fact, commands that we find out what pleases Him (Eph 5:10).

So what pleases God and makes Him smile?

Below is a list of some of them:

• Praise, worship, and thanksgiving (Ps 69:30-31; Heb 13:15-16; Eph 5:19-20)
• Sacrificial living (Rom 12:1; Heb 13:15-16)
• Sacrificial giving (Phil 4:18)
• Obeying (1 Jn 3:22-23)
• Living by faith (Heb 10:38; Heb 11:6)
• Being controlled by the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:8)
• Truth and integrity (1 Chr 29:17; Pr 20:23)
• Sincerity of heart and purity of motives (Mt 5:8)
• Serving God and using our gifts and abilities (Mt 25:14-30)
• Living a holy pure life (1 Thess 4:1-12)
• Leading a quiet life (1 Thess 4:1-12)
• Loving one another (1 Thess 4:1-12)
• Staying away from evil (Eph 5:11)
• Living a life worthy of the Lord (Col 1:10)
• Being fruitful in every good work (Col 1:10)
• Growing in the knowledge of God (Col 1:10)
• Suffering for doing good and enduring it (1 Pet 2:20)

For sure, that’s a long list! Basically, if we attempt to stay in the center of God’s will—even when we do so imperfectly—God is pleased. That’s good news!

God always looks at our heart. God Himself said of David that he was a man after His own heart (Acts 13:22).

Therefore, the question becomes…

Do you have a heart to please Him?

What if your desire is small or non-existent? Can you develop this desire to please God more than yourself and others?

Yes! Absolutely!

Here are 4 Keys to Please God and Make Him Smile

1. Learn to be humble

We get a submissive attitude by:

• Renewing our minds through the reading and application of His Word. (Rom 12:2)
• Acknowledging that He is sovereign, perfect, loving and good; He has the right to rule but only desires the best for you. link
• Remembering it’s about a love relationship with our Maker—not about earning a right standing with the Lord, but of being in a right standing with the Lord through Jesus Christ. We want to please the ones we love.
• Accepting that every sin (i.e. not living God’s way) is displeasing to Him
• Repenting when we do sin, thereby restoring our broken fellowship
• Reminding ourselves that surrendering our way to God is minuscule in comparison to what Christ did

2. Increase your love for God

Ponder on God’s extravagant love for you, on the extreme sacrifice of the cross. Out of gratitude, your love for Him will surely increase! (see this blog)

3. Increase your awareness of His presence

If you and I are conscious of the fact that Jesus, the One we love, is always with us, we would not hurt His heart as much. Personally, God’s pleasure in me is my biggest motivator to live rightly. (Get my free resource below to help you.)

4. Ask God to change your heart (Ps 119:33-36, Ps 19:14)

My friend, God wants to change your heart to be like His, and He’s the only One who can empower you to live a life pleasing to Him!

Go ahead, make it your goal to please the Lord more this year. I guarantee you, based on the Word of God, He will help you to do so and be smiling all the while!

The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him….
(2 Chr 16:9 NLT)

I am working on a book on how to know God’s will in each and every situation. If this type of book interests you, would you please put a “yes” in the comment section  below? Thanks! I only want to produce content that is beneficial to my followers. 

Helpful Resources
How to Know God’s Will blog series