PROVING WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE TO GOD

PROVING WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE TO GOD

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Ephesians 5:8–10

Key Verse: “Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” — Ephesians 5:10 (KJV)

Supporting Texts: Romans 12:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22; Colossians 1:9-10; Philippians 1:9-11; 1 John 2:15-17.

Description: This message teaches believers how to discern and practise what pleases God through the light of His Word, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and a life of obedience.

INTRODUCTION

The Christian life is not merely about attending church, praying, singing, or confessing that we belong to Jesus Christ. It is also about living in a manner that pleases God. Our faith must influence our decisions, relationships, speech, conduct, ambitions, and daily activities. God desires children who do not simply know His commandments but also demonstrate their commitment to Him through practical obedience.

In Ephesians 5:8-10, Paul reminds believers that they were once darkness but are now light in the Lord. Therefore, they must walk as children of light, producing the fruit of goodness, righteousness, and truth. Verse 10 gives a vital instruction: “Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” The word proving carries the idea of testing, examining, discerning, and demonstrating what pleases God. Christians must not blindly follow the world's standards; they must examine their choices in the light of God's truth.

Today, many people measure success by wealth, popularity, position, pleasure, and human approval. However, the most important question for a believer is not simply, “Will this make me successful?” but, “Will this please God?” A decision may be popular with people and still be displeasing to the Lord. Our desire must be to live in such a way that our lives, words, and actions receive His approval.

1. GOD EXPECTS HIS CHILDREN TO PLEASE HIM

Christianity is a relationship with God that transforms how we live. We are saved by grace through faith, not by our good works; nevertheless, genuine faith produces a desire to honour God. We do not obey God to purchase His love or earn salvation. We obey because we love Him and desire to walk according to His will.

Pleasing God must become the guiding principle of our lives. Before taking a step, making a decision, or pursuing an opportunity, we should ask whether our action agrees with God's character and revealed Word.

a) Please God Rather Than Men (Galatians 1:10)

Paul teaches that the servant of Christ must not make human approval the highest authority in life. People may applaud what God condemns and criticise what God commands. If we live only for applause, we will eventually compromise our convictions to satisfy people.

A Christian employee must refuse dishonest practices even when colleagues consider dishonesty normal. A minister must preach the truth even when it is unpopular. A young believer must maintain godly standards even when friends apply pressure to conform. Our commitment must be to God above the desire to be accepted by everyone.

Practical Application: Before making a difficult decision, ask yourself, “Am I doing this to honour God or merely to gain human approval?”

b) Walk Worthy of the Lord (Colossians 1:10)

Paul prayed that believers would walk worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in every respect and bearing fruit in every good work. Our conduct should reflect the greatness of the One we serve. A person who represents Christ should demonstrate integrity at home, in business, at work, in church, and in public.

Walking worthy does not mean living without ever making a mistake. It means maintaining a sincere commitment to God, responding to correction, repenting when we sin, and continually growing in spiritual maturity.

Practical Application: Examine your conduct in your private life as carefully as you examine your conduct in church.

c) Make Pleasing God Your Ambition (2 Corinthians 5:9)

Paul declared that his ambition was to be pleasing to the Lord, whether present in the body or absent from it. This reveals a life directed by an eternal purpose. Our goals, plans, and pursuits should not be driven solely by earthly rewards but by the desire to honour God.

A believer can pursue education, business, leadership, ministry, and personal development while remaining committed to God's standards. The issue is not whether we have ambitions, but whether our ambitions are surrendered to the Lord.

Practical Application: Bring your plans before God in prayer and ask Him to direct your ambitions towards purposes that honour Him.

d) Serve God with a Sincere Heart (Ephesians 6:6-7)

God is interested not only in what we do but also in why we do it. Some people serve diligently when leaders are watching but become careless when nobody is present. Others perform good deeds mainly to receive praise. The Lord desires sincere service that flows from a heart committed to Him.

Whatever our responsibilities, we should work faithfully as unto Christ. Our service may sometimes go unnoticed by people, but nothing done sincerely for the Lord is hidden from Him.

Practical Application: Perform your duties faithfully even when nobody is watching or praising you.

Biblical Example: Enoch (Hebrews 11:5-6)

Enoch had a testimony that he pleased God. His life reminds us that fellowship with God is not merely a religious activity; it is a daily walk of faith. Like Enoch, we should desire a testimony that reflects genuine devotion to the Lord.

2. THE WORD OF GOD IS OUR STANDARD OF ACCEPTABILITY

We cannot determine what pleases God merely by our feelings, personal opinions, culture, or the practices of society. Human standards change, but God's truth remains trustworthy. The Bible provides the foundation for discerning what is right, what is wrong, and what brings honour to the Lord.

The Word of God must shape our thinking before we make decisions. When our opinions conflict with Scripture, we must allow God's Word to correct us rather than attempt to change God's standard to suit our preferences.

a) Test Everything by Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. God's Word teaches us the truth, exposes error, corrects our failures, and trains us to live rightly.

Not everything that sounds spiritual is necessarily biblical. Believers must examine teachings, prophecies, advice, and religious practices in the light of Scripture. Spiritual language alone does not guarantee spiritual truth.

Practical Application: Develop a habit of reading the Bible regularly and checking important teachings against its clear message.

b) Renew Your Mind Through God's Word (Romans 12:2)

Paul warns believers not to conform to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. The world continually presents values that may conflict with God's will. Without a renewed mind, a Christian may gradually accept ungodly attitudes without recognising the danger.

As we study and meditate on Scripture, the Holy Spirit helps us recognise wrong patterns of thought and embrace godly values. Transformation begins within and becomes visible through our choices and behaviour.

Practical Application: Identify one worldly attitude you have tolerated and allow Scripture to reshape your thinking about it.

c) Let God's Word Direct Your Steps (Psalm 119:105)

The psalmist describes God's Word as a lamp to his feet and a light to his path. A lamp does not necessarily reveal the entire journey at once, but it provides enough light for the next step. In the same way, Scripture gives us guidance for everyday decisions.

When choosing friends, conducting business, handling money, or responding to conflict, we should seek principles from God's Word rather than depend entirely on emotion or impulse.

Practical Application: Before taking an important step, identify the biblical principles that should govern your decision.

d) Refuse to Add Human Standards to God's Commands (Mark 7:7-8)

Jesus rebuked religious leaders who elevated human traditions above God's commandments. Traditions may be useful, but they must not replace Scripture or be presented as God's commands when He has not made them so.

Believers should distinguish between clear biblical instructions, wise applications, and personal preferences. This protects us from legalism on one hand and careless disregard for God's Word on the other.

Practical Application: Examine your convictions and church practices to ensure that they honour Scripture without turning personal preferences into universal commands.

Biblical Example: The Bereans (Acts 17:10-12)

The Bereans received Paul's message eagerly but searched the Scriptures daily to examine what they heard. Their example teaches us to combine an open heart with biblical discernment. We should be willing to learn while remaining committed to testing every teaching against God's Word.

3. THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US DISCERN GOD'S WILL

God has not left believers to discover His will through human reasoning alone. The Holy Spirit helps us understand spiritual truth, convicts us of sin, develops Christlike character, and guides us as we submit to God's Word. His leading will never contradict the truth He inspired in Scripture.

However, we must not confuse every feeling, dream, desire, or impression with the voice of God. Spiritual discernment requires prayer, biblical understanding, humility, and a willingness to receive correction.

a) Walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16)

Paul instructs believers to walk in the Spirit so that they will not fulfil the lusts of the flesh. The Holy Spirit empowers us to resist sinful desires and live according to God's will. As we yield to Him, He helps us choose obedience over temptation.

Walking in the Spirit is not limited to moments of intense worship. It includes the daily decisions to forgive, speak truthfully, practise self-control, reject immorality, and respond to others with grace.

Practical Application: Begin each day by surrendering your thoughts, desires, words, and decisions to the Holy Spirit.

b) Allow the Spirit to Convict and Correct You (John 16:8)

The Holy Spirit convicts the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgement. His conviction helps us recognise when our attitudes or actions are inconsistent with God's holiness. Rather than resisting correction, we should respond with repentance and renewed obedience.

Conviction points us towards repentance and restoration. Condemnation, by contrast, can leave a person feeling hopeless. When the Spirit exposes sin, we should confess it, receive God's forgiveness, and take practical steps to change.

Practical Application: When you become aware of wrongdoing, respond promptly with confession, repentance, and corrective action.

c) Test Spiritual Impressions (1 John 4:1)

Scripture tells believers to test the spirits because false prophets have gone into the world. This means we should not accept every spiritual claim without examination. A message that contradicts Scripture or encourages disobedience cannot be accepted merely because someone claims divine inspiration.

Discernment also requires humility. Mature believers can seek wise counsel, study the biblical context, and examine the fruit of a teaching before accepting it.

Practical Application: Test prophecies, counsel, and spiritual impressions against Scripture and seek mature, godly counsel when necessary.

d) Pray for Wisdom and Understanding (James 1:5)

God invites those who lack wisdom to ask Him, and He gives generously. We should not make important decisions carelessly when we can seek the Lord's wisdom. Prayer helps us surrender our preferences, examine our motives, and remain open to God's direction.

God may guide us through biblical principles, wise counsel, providential circumstances, and a growing understanding of our responsibilities. We must consider these carefully rather than assume that every open door is automatically God's approval.

Practical Application: Pray specifically for wisdom before major decisions, and be willing to follow God's direction even when it differs from your original plan.

Biblical Example: Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-35)

Philip responded to the Spirit's direction and explained the Scriptures to the Ethiopian official. This encounter shows how the Spirit can direct believers towards meaningful service while the Word provides the message that must be understood and proclaimed.

4. GODLY CHARACTER REVEALS WHAT PLEASES GOD

The acceptability of our lives before God is not measured by outward appearance alone. The Lord examines our hearts, motives, attitudes, and actions. A person may appear religious while harbouring pride, dishonesty, envy, or unforgiveness. God desires inward transformation that produces visible godliness.

Ephesians 5:9 describes the fruit of light as goodness, righteousness, and truth. These qualities should increasingly characterise everyone who walks with Christ. The life that pleases God is a life in which the character of Jesus becomes evident.

a) Practise Goodness (Galatians 6:10)

Believers are encouraged to do good to all people, especially those who belong to the household of faith. Goodness is more than avoiding wrongdoing; it involves actively seeking opportunities to help, encourage, serve, and bless others.

A Christian who desires to please God should care about the needs of people. Kindness may involve helping a struggling neighbour, supporting someone in difficulty, speaking encouragement, or using our resources to serve others.

Practical Application: Look for one practical opportunity each day to do good to another person without expecting a reward.

b) Pursue Righteousness (Matthew 6:33)

Jesus instructed His followers to seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness. Righteousness involves aligning our lives with God's standards. It affects our finances, relationships, sexuality, work ethic, speech, and treatment of others.

We must not justify wrongdoing because it is profitable or convenient. The believer's commitment to righteousness should remain firm even when obedience carries a personal cost.

Practical Application: Identify any area where convenience or personal gain has tempted you to compromise, and take a clear step towards righteousness.

c) Speak and Live the Truth (Ephesians 4:25)

Truthfulness is essential to a life that pleases God. Lies, exaggerations, false promises, and deliberate deception destroy trust and damage relationships. The Christian must be dependable in speech and honest in conduct.

Truth should also be communicated in love. Honesty does not give us permission to be cruel, insulting, or unnecessarily harsh. We should speak truthfully while maintaining kindness and respect.

Practical Application: Be accurate in your words, fulfil your promises, and correct any deception you have allowed to remain unaddressed.

d) Pursue Holiness in Daily Living (1 Peter 1:15-16)

God calls His people to be holy because He is holy. Holiness means being set apart for God and increasingly reflecting His character. It involves rejecting sin and dedicating every area of life to His service.

Holiness is not simply a special appearance at church or a religious vocabulary. It is a consistent commitment to purity, integrity, humility, and obedience, both publicly and privately.

Practical Application: Examine your private habits, entertainment, relationships, and online conduct, and remove anything that draws you away from obedience to Christ.

Biblical Example: Joseph in Potiphar's House (Genesis 39:7-12)

When Potiphar's wife tempted Joseph to commit sexual sin, he refused and declared that he could not do such wickedness and sin against God. Joseph chose faithfulness to God over immediate pleasure. His example teaches us that pleasing God sometimes requires us to reject opportunities that appeal to the flesh.

5. DISCERNING WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE REQUIRES SPIRITUAL MATURITY

Not every available opportunity is beneficial, and not every lawful choice is necessarily wise for every situation. Spiritual maturity helps believers move beyond asking, “Can I do this?” to asking, “Will this honour God, strengthen my faith, and help me fulfil my responsibilities?”

We must learn to examine our motives, consider the likely consequences of our actions, and seek God's wisdom. Discernment grows through Scripture, prayer, obedience, experience, and the willingness to learn from correction.

a) Examine Your Motives (Proverbs 16:2)

A person may perform an apparently good action for a wrong reason. Giving may be motivated by a desire for recognition, ministry may be pursued for status, and generosity may be used to control others. God is concerned about the intentions of our hearts.

We should regularly ask why we are doing what we are doing. When we discover selfish motives, we must confess them and ask God to purify our desires.

Practical Application: Before an important action, ask yourself whether your motive is love, obedience, service, personal glory, or selfish gain.

b) Test Whether Your Choices Build You Up (1 Corinthians 10:23)

Paul teaches that not everything permissible is beneficial or edifying. Christian freedom must be exercised with wisdom and love. A choice may not be explicitly forbidden, yet it may weaken our spiritual discipline, damage our testimony, or become a stumbling block to another person.

This principle calls for responsible judgement rather than careless indulgence. We should consider whether our habits strengthen our relationship with Christ and contribute to the spiritual good of others.

Practical Application: Evaluate your use of time, money, entertainment, and relationships by asking whether they strengthen or weaken your walk with God.

c) Consider the Fruit of Your Decisions (Matthew 7:16-20)

Jesus taught that people are recognised by their fruits. Choices produce consequences, and repeated decisions shape our character. If a habit continually produces dishonesty, impurity, division, or spiritual coldness, we should not ignore its fruit.

We must also be careful not to judge people hastily from isolated incidents. Discernment considers consistent patterns, the wider context, and the evidence of a person's life over time.

Practical Application: Review the results of your repeated choices and make changes wherever they are producing ungodly fruit.

d) Seek Wise and Godly Counsel (Proverbs 15:22)

Plans can fail when counsel is absent, but they can be established through wise advice. God may use mature believers to help us recognise blind spots, consider consequences, and make responsible decisions.

Nevertheless, counsel must be evaluated by Scripture and wisdom. We should not surrender our conscience to people or follow advice merely because the adviser is influential. Seek counsel from people who demonstrate spiritual maturity, integrity, and a commitment to God's truth.

Practical Application: Before a major decision, consult trustworthy and spiritually mature people, examine their advice in the light of Scripture, and pray for wisdom.

Biblical Example: Solomon's Request for Wisdom (1 Kings 3:5-12)

When God invited Solomon to ask for what he desired, Solomon requested an understanding heart to judge the people wisely. God was pleased with this request. Solomon's example reminds us that we should value wisdom that enables us to fulfil our responsibilities according to God's will.

6. LIVE DAILY TO DEMONSTRATE WHAT PLEASES THE LORD

Ephesians 5:10 does not call us merely to discuss what is acceptable to God; it calls us to prove, test, and demonstrate it in our daily walk. The Christian life should provide visible evidence that Christ is transforming us. Our homes, workplaces, churches, businesses, and relationships should reflect the values of God's kingdom.

A life that pleases God is built through daily choices. We must continually submit our thoughts, words, desires, relationships, and plans to the Lord. Spiritual growth is a journey of ongoing surrender, repentance, obedience, and dependence on the Holy Spirit.

a) Present Your Body as a Living Sacrifice (Romans 12:1)

Paul urges believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. Worship is not confined to singing or attending church. Our physical lives, abilities, time, and resources should be surrendered to God's purposes.

This means honouring God with our bodies, practising self-control, serving others, and using our abilities responsibly. Every part of our lives can become an expression of worship when offered to Him in faith.

Practical Application: Dedicate your body, skills, time, and resources afresh to the Lord and use them for purposes that honour Him.

b) Walk in Love (Ephesians 5:2)

Christians are commanded to walk in love as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us. Love influences how we speak, forgive, serve, correct, and respond to people who disappoint us. It does not mean approving of sin; rather, it means seeking the good of others in a manner consistent with God's truth.

A life that pleases God cannot be separated from genuine love. Religious activity loses its proper meaning when it is accompanied by cruelty, selfishness, hatred, or deliberate exploitation.

Practical Application: Demonstrate Christlike love through one deliberate act of kindness, forgiveness, or service today.

c) Give Thanks in Every Circumstance (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Gratitude honours God by recognising His goodness and faithfulness. Giving thanks in every circumstance does not mean pretending that pain does not exist or calling evil good. It means maintaining faith in God even when circumstances are difficult.

A thankful heart resists bitterness, envy, and constant complaint. It remembers God's past faithfulness while trusting Him for the grace needed in the present.

Practical Application: Each day, identify specific reasons to thank God and express gratitude instead of allowing complaints to dominate your words.

d) Remain Faithful Until the End (Revelation 2:10)

God calls His people to faithfulness even in the face of hardship. Pleasing the Lord is not a temporary decision made during a powerful service; it is a lifelong commitment. There will be seasons of temptation, delay, disappointment, and opposition, but we must remain steadfast in Christ.

Faithfulness includes continuing in prayer, maintaining integrity, serving with humility, and returning to God whenever we stumble. Through His grace, we can keep growing in obedience until the end of our earthly journey.

Practical Application: Establish daily habits of prayer, Bible study, fellowship, and obedience that help you remain faithful through every season.

Biblical Example: Daniel's Faithfulness (Daniel 6:4-10)

Daniel's enemies could find no corruption or negligence in his conduct, so they targeted his devotion to God. Even when prayer became dangerous, Daniel continued his established practice of praying to the Lord. His life demonstrates the power of consistent integrity and faithfulness under pressure.

CONCLUSION

Proving what is acceptable to God means learning to examine every area of our lives in the light of His Word and living according to what pleases Him. We must seek God's approval above human applause, allow Scripture to direct our choices, yield to the Holy Spirit, develop godly character, and exercise spiritual discernment. Our Christianity must be visible in our daily conduct, not merely in our religious language. We are saved by grace, and that grace teaches us to live in a way that honours the Saviour who redeemed us.

Today, make a fresh commitment to live for God's pleasure. Before you speak, act, spend, enter a relationship, or make an important decision, ask whether your choice honours the Lord. Where you have fallen short, repent and receive His forgiveness; where you need wisdom, ask Him in faith; and where you face pressure to compromise, stand firmly upon His Word. May your life become a clear testimony of goodness, righteousness, and truth, demonstrating to the world what is acceptable to God.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, help me to live a life that pleases You, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, let Your Word direct all my decisions, in Jesus name.

3. Holy Spirit, sharpen my spiritual discernment, in Jesus name.

4. Father, deliver me from the fear of human approval, in Jesus name.

5. Lord, purify my heart and motives, in Jesus name.

6. Father, empower me to reject every temptation, in Jesus name.

7. Lord, let goodness, righteousness, and truth grow in me, in Jesus name.

8. Father, expose every habit that displeases You, in Jesus name.

9. Lord, give me wisdom to choose what honours You, in Jesus name.

10. Father, make my life a testimony of Your grace, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You will walk daily in the light of God's Word.

2. You will discern what pleases the Lord.

3. You will not be controlled by the approval of men.

4. You will grow in goodness, righteousness, and truth.

5. You will overcome temptation through the power of the Holy Spirit.

6. You will receive wisdom for every important decision.

7. Your heart will be purified, and your motives will honour God.

8. Your home and relationships will reflect the character of Christ.

9. Your life will bear lasting fruit to the glory of God.

10. You will remain faithful to the Lord and finish your race in victory, in the mighty name of Jesus.