Clicky

A Matter of Priority: Understanding the Consequences of Not Putting God First – Viral Believer
Skip to content

A Matter of Priority: Understanding the Consequences of Not Putting God First

Introduction

You might ask yourself, “What difference does it make if I put God first or not?” The answer is simple: A lot.

When we don’t put God first, we make a statement about what’s most important to us. We’re saying that our desires are more important than His. And that has consequences.

This article will explore some of the consequences of not putting God first. We’ll also look at what happens when we put Him first and why it’s so important.

Consequences of Not Putting God First

The Biblical Basis for Putting God First

There’s a reason why the Bible talks about putting God first. When we put Him first, everything else falls into place. When we put Him first, we acknowledge He is the most important thing in our lives.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Matthew 6:33

We’re also saying that we trust Him to take care of us. And He does—in ways that we can’t even comprehend. When we put Him first, everything else in our lives falls into line. We have clarity of purpose and a sense of peace from knowing that we’re doing what He wants us to do.

So what does this mean for you? It means that you need to make a decision. You need to decide who is more important to you: God or other things in your life. If other things are more important, you must re-evaluate your priorities. But if God is number one in your life, it’s time to start putting Him first in everything you do.

How Not Putting God First Impacts Relationships

When you don’t put God first, everything else in your life becomes a priority. That might be your job, your family, your social life, or any other number of things. But the problem is that those things will always compete for your time and attention—and they’ll never be satisfied.

The Bible says that we should love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength (Mark 12:30). In other words, He should be our number one priority. When you make Him a priority, then everything else falls into line. You can balance your time and attention better because you know what’s most important.

But when you don’t put God first, everything else in your life becomes a priority. And those things will always compete for your time and attention—they’ll never be satisfied.

The Negative Consequences of Not Prioritizing God

When you don’t put God first, you tell Him that He’s not important to you. And that has consequences.

The Bible is full of stories of people who chose to put themselves first and paid the price. People like King Solomon, who allowed his wives to lead him astray from God. Or the Israelites, who worshiped the golden calf instead of the one true God.

These stories remind us that we cannot put anything before God without suffering the consequences. He is our creator, and He deserves our first and foremost devotion. When we don’t give it to Him, we open ourselves up to all sorts of problems: spiritual emptiness, broken relationships, and even destruction.

Don’t let this happen to you. Put God first in your life and experience His blessings firsthand.

The Benefits of Refocusing on God

It will not be easy when you decide to refocus your life on God. It’s going to be hard. But it’s worth it because the benefits are enormous.

First, you’ll find that your relationship with God will become more intimate. You’ll feel closer to Him and more connected to His will for your life. Secondly, you’ll start to see the fruit of the Spirit in your life (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control).

And finally, you’ll find that your priorities will start to shift. Instead of focusing on things that don’t matter, you’ll focus on things that are eternal and will last forever. When you put God first, everything else falls into place.

Practical Ways to Put God First in Your Life

So, how can you practically put God first in your life? Here are a few suggestions:

  • Make it a priority to spend time with God every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Talk to Him, listen to Him, and read His Word.
  • When you make decisions, big or small, ask yourself how they will please or glorify God.
  • Set your sights on eternal things instead of worldly things.
  • Ask God to help you make Him the priority in your life.

What Happens When You Put God First in Your Life

When you put God first in your life, He blesses you. This doesn’t mean that you will never have problems or trials, but it does mean that He will give you the strength to get through them. He will also give you peace and joy during your trials.

Another way that God blesses those who put Him first is by giving them a relationship with Him. When you put God first, you say you want to know Him more. You are saying that you want to have a deeper relationship with Him. And He wants that for you too!

So what happens when you put God first in your life? You will be blessed, have a deeper relationship with Him, and experience His peace and joy during your trials.

Conclusion

So, what are the consequences of not putting God first in our lives? First and foremost, we lose out on the blessings and promises He has for us. We forfeit our peace, joy, and purpose. We also miss out on the intimate relationship God desires with us.

Most importantly, when we don’t put God first, we open ourselves to the enemy’s influence. Satan wants to keep us from God and the plans He has for us. He wants to rob us of the abundant life Christ died to give us. But we don’t have to fear the enemy’s attacks. We can overcome them when we put God first in our lives.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.