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LIFE UNDER GOD



When it comes to relating to God, people often have varying perspectives on how to approach Him and what He expects in return. A common belief is that God exists "over" us, controlling fate and circumstances. Because of this belief, many individuals seek to earn God's favor or manipulate Him into granting their desires by performing specific rituals, whether religious or secular. This leads to the idea that if one completes the right actions, God will be compelled to act according to their wishes.

But what does this approach really tell us about our understanding of God and our relationship with Him? In this post, I will explore the various ways people try to influence or control their relationship with God and what this means in the broader context of faith.


Many people hold the view that God is sovereign, ruling over everything in the world. This belief often leads to a feeling that they are subject to God's will, which may seem fixed or predetermined. As a result, individuals may feel that they need to align themselves perfectly with God in specific ways in order to gain His approval or influence the course of their lives.

With the belief that God is over them, people often go to great lengths to "get on God's good side." This can manifest through a variety of rituals, ranging from religious practices like prayer and fasting to non-religious actions that they believe may help them gain God's favor. The key idea is that by doing these rituals "correctly," they can secure positive outcomes in their lives.

Ultimately, the expectation is that through these rituals, people can influence God’s actions. Whether it’s for success, health, protection, or other desires, there’s an underlying assumption that if the rituals are performed just right, God will respond by granting their wishes.

There are several ways that people go about this endeavor. While this approach to relating to God may look different depending on the specific religious context, the underlying principle of trying to control or influence God's actions works in pretty much the same way across religions.

In some belief systems, people worship multiple gods, each with their own area of influence. For example: A farmer in a drought-stricken region might carve an image or build a statue of a god who is believed to control rain. The farmer may perform specific rituals, such as offerings or prayers, to appease this god, hoping for rain. Despite his efforts, the farmer may never be entirely sure if his rituals are working. Because of this uncertainty, he may continue to perform more and more rituals, trying to find the "right" formula to earn the god's favor and secure the much-needed rain.

For those who worship one God, the tendency is often to try and control God in a slightly different way: Many people believe that by performing spiritual rituals with precision or living a morally strict life, they can ensure God’s favor. This belief can lead to an attitude of trying to "earn" God’s approval through behavior and actions, as though the relationship with God is a transaction that requires meticulous observance of rules and customs.

Whether it’s through the performance of rituals or the striving for moral perfection, many people mistakenly believe that they can control God’s will through their actions. The idea is that if they do everything "right," they can expect God to respond in a predictable way, based on their efforts.

The idea that our actions can influence God's response is often reflected in modern life and media. Here is a clip of SpongeBob SquarePants going through a lot of effort to get the blowing of a bubble just right. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQm4KOs1Dv4. Sometimes we approach our relationship with God in a similar way. 

Many people turn to religious teachers or spiritual leaders who offer guidelines for how to live and how to relate to God. Often, these teachings come with the unspoken expectation that if followers adhere strictly to these instructions, God will fulfill their desires or respond favorably to them. For example, when a preacher tells their congregation how to pray, there may be an underlying implication that "following the formula" will guarantee that God will give them what they seek. 

In some faiths, there are prescribed actions or prayers that are meant to bring a person closer to God. For instance, Muslims are instructed to pray five times a day, but additional rituals, such as specific hand gestures, postures, and recitations, are often added to these prayers to ensure they are “done correctly.” This can lead to the belief that God’s favor depends not only on prayer but also on the adherence to these additional customs and rituals.

Life under God is an exhausting one that frequently leads to burnout and terrible feelings of unworthiness. It fails to provide the deep transformation that we would expect from a relationship with God. Trying to meet 100 different meticulous rules is not sustainable. No one will ever be able to do anything that perfectly. We are fallen and imperfect, which is why we need a relationship with the one who is perfect.






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Chris Mauger | Copyright 2024

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