5 Behaviours That Displease God (Bible Study)

When we think of sin, we often associate it with terrible things, such as murder or adultery. But there are also many more common common behaviors that are also sinful and do not please God. Just because they happen often doesn’t mean they are without consequence. Every sin causes harm, and we must repent and seek God’s forgiveness when we recognize these flaws in our lives.

God’s Word helps us identify behaviors that displease the Lord. Lying obscures the truth that sets us free. Indifference weakens love for others. Selfishness separates us from divine generosity. Rebellion breaks the harmony with God's will. Idolatry misdirects our worship from the one true Savior.

Discover how these 5 behaviors can draw us away from the presence of the Lord:

1. Lying

A lie may seem like a small thing, but it is very destructive! Lying destroys trust and promotes injustice. The Bible says that the devil is the father of lies, but Jesus is the truth. Lying comes very naturally, but it does not please God, and we should always strive to speak the truth with love.

The Bible condemns lying, emphasizing the importance of truth. In Proverbs 12:22, we read:

Ananias and Sapphira, in Acts 5, sold a property, lied about the amount, and kept part of the money. Their lie resulted in serious consequences, showing the gravity of being honest before God and the Christian community.

2. Indifference

Amidst the busyness of life, it’s very easy to fall into indifference. The person suffering across the street or across the world? "It’s not my problem." But this attitude does not please God. It is terrible when we stop caring!

We cannot solve the problems of the entire world, but the least we can do, as Christians, is to have compassion for the pain of others. Indifference is a sign of the absence of God’s love in the heart.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37), the priests passed indifferently by the wounded man. Their lack of compassion highlights the danger of indifference. The Samaritan, on the other hand, shows that compassion is the way of loving one’s neighbor.

3. Selfishness

Often, selfishness comes from the same place as indifference. The struggle for survival is tough, but we cannot think only of ourselves. If Jesus had been selfish, we would all be condemned.

Selfishness destroys relationships and causes many struggles. But when we seek the good of others, we find more peace and happiness.

Judas, when he betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16), exemplifies the selfish attitude of seeking personal gain at the expense of sacred values and relationships. His betrayal had tragic consequences, highlighting the dangers of unchecked selfishness.

4. Rebellion

King Saul disobeyed God by offering a sacrifice, something reserved for the priests (1 Samuel 13:8-14). His rebellion resulted in God's rejection of his dynasty, illustrating the serious consequences of acting against God's will.

God detests witchcraft, and the Bible says that rebellion is equally bad. How many times do we want to do things our way and not submit to God? We think we know what is best and stray from God’s paths. But this is a deadly trap, which only brings problems. Seeking to do God's will is always the best option.

God is not cruel. He does not delight in these behaviours because they harm us and those around us. God wants what is best for us! And He is always happy when we repent of our sins and is ready to forgive.

5. Idolatry

Idolatry, worshiping anything other than God, grieves the Lord, who desires our exclusive devotion. In Exodus 20:3, God instructs: "You shall have no other gods before me."

The people of Israel, led by Aaron, fell into idolatry by worshiping the golden calf (Exodus 32). God became angry, and many Israelites died because of their disobedience. Idolatry led to severe consequences, highlighting the importance of exclusive faithfulness to God.

When we replace the Creator with creations, we lose our true spiritual connection, deviating from genuine worship and the fullness that only He provides.

In our time, idolatry manifests in subtle forms, such as obsession with money, fame, or technology. These distractions pull Christians away from genuine worship, compromising their relationship with God. The danger lies in replacing the divine with the temporary, hindering the search for true fulfillment in Christ.

Explore more about the Bible in Bible Studies: evangelical studies organized by themes.

You could also read:

• The Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Biblical Explanation and Meaning)
• Examples of Forgiveness In The Bible: 5 Stories (And What We Learn From Them)
• Forgiving 70x7: What Jesus Really Meant About Forgiveness (Bible Study)
• The Meaning And Importance of Forgiveness in The Bible (Bible study)
• Forgiveness: 6 Important Lessons (A Bible Study)
• The Power of the Holy Spirit in Our Lives (Bible Study)