How Can We Please God? Biblical Traits That Delight Him

What pleases God? What is it that you and I can do to bring joy to His heart? Let's look at some of the characters in the Bible that God describes in a way that we know pleased Him. As we explore the lives of those who pleased God, we’re drawn to a central question: how can we please God? What are Biblical traits that delight Him?

Humility in Moses and David

Humility marked the lives of Moses and David. Despite their positions and influence, both recognized their deep dependence on God. Moses didn't call himself humble; God did, in Numbers 12:3. David, in particular, was called “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22) not because he was perfect, but because he humbled himself in repentance.

Faith and Obedience: Abraham & Stephen

Faith and obedience were defining qualities in the lives of Abraham and Stephen. Abraham trusted God’s promises even when they seemed impossible, and Stephen boldly obeyed the Spirit—even to the point of death (Acts 7:54-60).

Growing Faith Through Personal Trials

Personally, living through various trials, miscarriages, cancer, and sometimes just daily living in my marriage and raising my children, has all increased my faith. I have seen God work in my life in small things and in miraculous ways. I have learned to trust God and I pray I always will.

Righteousness in Noah and Job

Other biblical figures, like Noah and Job, were described as righteous or blameless. Their commitment to living upright lives in corrupt times set them apart. The Bible tells us that Noah "walked with God" (Genesis 6:9). The closer we walk with God the more righteous we will become.

God’s Special Favor: Daniel, John, and Mary

Then there were those whom God described with loving approval: Daniel was called “greatly beloved” (Daniel 10:11) and the disciple John was the one whom Jesus loved. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was “highly favored” (Luke 1:28). Each of them had a unique closeness to God that pleased Him.

Fear of the Lord: Joseph, Obadiah, Nehemiah

Still others, like Joseph, Obadiah, and Nehemiah, were commended for their fear of the Lord—a reverence that shaped their decisions and helped them maintain their character. Joseph's fear of the Lord was the reason he was merciful to his brothers (Genesis 42:18-20).

John the Baptist—and Us

And Jesus Himself said there was “none greater born of women” than John the Baptist. Yet He immediately followed that statement with a promise: that anyone in the Kingdom—even the least—would be considered greater. That includes us (Matthew 11:11).

What Scripture Says Pleases God

The Bible gives us more than just character examples—it directly tells us what pleases God. Psalm 149:4 says, “The Lord takes pleasure in His people; He adorns the humble with salvation.” Psalm 147:11 tells us God delights in those who fear Him and those who hope in His steadfast love.

We learn that God is pleased with uprightness (1 Chronicles 29:17), with doing good and sharing what we have (Hebrews 13:16), and with obedient children (Colossians 3:20). Most importantly, Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that without faith it is impossible to please God because faith is the foundation of it all.

Impossible Yet Possible: Pleasing God

Sometimes, we look at God’s holiness and feel discouraged. How could we ever live up to such righteousness? But the truth is, pleasing God is not impossible. It’s not about being flawless—it’s about walking in faith, humility, obedience, and love.

God has made it clear that He wants worship that is true and from the heart. He despises worship that is for show or is just done from duty. God desires a relationship with His children, much like our human parents want with their children.

God wants to communicate with us. The Bible records people hearing the audible voice of God but that is the exception, not the rule. God speaks to us in many ways, through His Word, through worship, music, prayer, and events that happen to us. It is our duty to listen and be obedient so we can please Him.

What a blessed thought to realize that Jesus prayed for you and I. In John 17:20-26, Jesus prays for us that we may be one, just as He and the Father are one. This oneness, in love, will be proof to the world that we belong to Him. Being one in spirit and in truth allows us to please God.

Pleasing God Out of Love

When we align our lives with what He values, when we fear Him and hope in His mercy, we bring joy to the heart of God. And through Christ, we are made acceptable in His sight. We don't do works to please God; we please God when we do good works. What we do in this life as a Christian, we do out of love, not duty. And not because we are trying to earn our salvation. We don't make God love us, He already does.

How Can We Please God? Biblical Traits That Delight Him

How do we go about pleasing God in our daily lives? How do we display faith, humility, obedience, generosity, and fear of the Lord. There are many ways.

Practical Faith: Generosity

• Generosity - we can give, not just to our church, but to charities and to people in need. We can donate anonymously, ensuring that our giving is done with humility. We can give, not just money, but also time. We can volunteer in a multitude of places. We can serve in our church, even if it is in a small way. We are to be generous to all.

Practical Faith: Obedience

• Obedience - Check yourself. Where are we lacking in obedience? Are we not spending time with God? Do we need to have more focused prayer? Do we need to join a Bible study to learn more about God? We all need to listen more to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. If we ask Him, He will show us where we need to be more obedient. Then we have to do it! Wisdom and understanding are the blessings of obedience.

Practical Faith: Humility

• Humility - Count others as more important than yourself. It is so easy to get upset when we feel disrespected or unheard. When we think we are 'better' than someone we know that is sinning, do we remind ourselves that "such were some of you" as Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 6:11. And can't we all do better? When the unpleasant task or job is requested do we look around for someone else to do it, instead of stepping up ourselves?

Practical Faith: Growing Your Faith

• Faith - The Bible tells us faith comes by hearing and hearing comes from the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Our faith grows as we dig deeper into the Word of God. Faith allows us to trust God under all circumstances. Faith gives us courage to speak up for God when others won't. Faith should make us want to share God with others.

Practical Faith: Fear of the Lord

• Fear of the Lord - The Bible says that the beginning of wisdom is to fear the Lord (Proverbs 9:10-12). This is similar to the fear we have toward the parents we love, not because they would ever harm us, but because we love them so much we don't want to hurt them by being disobedient. We hate sin, just as He does. We approach God, not flippantly, but with the awe and respect He deserves. We know that if we truly love Him and are called according to His purpose that only good will come from the things that happen to us.

Childlike Faith – Humility, Trust, and Obedience

In Matthew 18:3, our Lord says, "And He said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." What does He mean to be like children? Children naturally have traits like humility, trust, and faith. They are less concerned with the opinions of others and more focused on pleasing their parents through love and obedience. These childlike qualities reflect the heart that God desires. When we approach Him in this way, we bring Him delight.

Questions for Today

Today, if God could speak to you would He be pleased? What areas of your life do you feel like God could say, "Well done my good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:23)? If we would strip away our pride and plead with Him to show us where he is not pleased with us, then we could make a plan on how to improve those areas with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Empowered by the Holy Spirit

We don't follow Christ alone. We don't live our lives for Jesus with no help. The third person of the Trinity lives within us. It is He that will help us please God. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead, lives in us! Unbelievably, incredibly, and fully and completely true.

Enjoy Scripture Song Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) "But Without Faith". What a sweet way to memorize this verse!

People Also Ask:

What does it mean to "diligently seek Him"? Diligence means: a way that shows care and conscientiousness in one's work or duties. Our duty is to seek God. We don't do this as an after thought or as something we do only when we feel like it. Seeking God is a priority, something we do with concern, care, and thought.