Introduction
As Christian women, we all want to live a purposeful life, to know that we’re fulfilling God’s plan for us. But sometimes, it’s hard to discern what that purpose is, especially when we’re feeling lost or unsure of ourselves. That’s where the power of scriptures on purpose comes in.
The Bible is full of wisdom and guidance on finding and fulfilling our purpose, and by meditating on these verses, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our role in God’s plan.
In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most impactful Bible scriptures on purpose that will not only inspire you but also change your life forever. Whether you’re looking to become more confident, more purposeful, or simply seeking a deeper connection with God, these scriptures will help guide you toward the life God meant you to live.
What Scripture says about purpose?
From Genesis to Revelation, God speaks about purpose. His purpose for creation, His purpose for us, His purpose for the future… The word “purpose” is mentioned several times in the Bible, but the first time the Scriptures speak about purpose is in Genesis 1:26-28.
In this passage, God is creating the world and everything in it. The Bible verses do not mention the word “purpose” directly—instead, the passage conveys the idea of God’s intention or plan for humanity to rule over and care for the earth. We see that God’s purpose for humanity is to rule over and care for the earth as stewards of His creation. This purpose is tied to the fact that humans are created in God’s own image, and therefore have a special role and responsibility in the world.
When God, through Moses, shows Pharaoh His power by sending the plagues, the Scriptures use the actual word ‘purpose’.
“But I have spared you for a purpose—to show you my power and to spread my fame throughout the earth.”
Exodus 9:16 (NLT)
God has a purpose and a plan, even amid difficult and challenging circumstances. The Bible verse also highlights the importance of recognizing God’s power and sovereignty and giving Him glory and honor due to His name.
God’s plans can never be shaken—His purpose for us stands. God does not change the purpose for creation. Nothing (literally nothing!) can ever change God’s purpose!
“But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken.”
Psalm 33:11 (NLT)
“And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God’s purpose is that people should fear him.”
Ecclesiastes 3:14 (NLT)
What does God say about your purpose?
The Bible, from “A to Z”, talks about our purpose. Sometimes literally, sometimes in the content of a chapter. In the Scriptures, we can find many verses on our purpose. Reading, studying, and meditating on those verses gives us a better insight into who God is and what our purpose here on Earth is. Below are several scriptures on vision and purpose.
Our purpose is to worship God.
“And I will give them one heart and one purpose: to worship me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their descendants.”
Jeremiah 32:39 (NLT)
God wants us to worship Him, as part of giving Him adoration and having fellowship with Him. Worship is a way of fellowship. He wants us to desire Him and seek Him daily. He longs for us as a loving father longs for his children.
“His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us.”
Acts 17:27 (NLT)
Our purpose is to please God.
“For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.”
1 Thessalonians 2:4 (NLT)
God created His church to fulfill His purpose. Who is ‘the church’? you and me! Through us, His church, God will display His wisdom.
“God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 3:10 (NLT)
God will fulfill His purpose for us.
God is All-mighty, All-powerful, and All-knowing. He knows the end from the beginning. He completes what he starts. This means we can be sure God will fulfill His purpose for our lives—even if we mess everything up or don’t understand what is happening. When life’s circumstances overwhelm us and frustration and desperation grip us, we can call to our God. He will hear us and fulfill His purpose in us. No doubt about it!
“I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.”
Psalm 57:2 (NLT)
God called us according to His purpose.
Even if life overwhelms us, family and friends forsake us, and we don’t see the end of the dark tunnel we are in, God still establishes His purpose in and through us. He will sue everything and mold it and create something beautiful out of it.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
Romans 8:28 (NLT)
Understanding our purpose will enable us to know who we are in Christ.
God created you for a purpose Bible verse
God did not create you randomly. He had a purpose for you before you were even born.
“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 1:5 (NLT)
In His infinite power, God creates us human beings to fulfill His purpose on earth—it humbles me when I think of this. For every person on planet Earth, God has a purpose (even the ‘bad’ people!). God did not make those people bad, but He uses them to glorify His purpose.
“The Lord has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.”
Proverbs 16:4 (NLT)
Ephesians 2 verse 10 is the Bible verse that shows God created you for a purpose. You, me, everyone. He made us perfect, according to His will. He also created us new in Christ, to fulfill His purpose through us, not our own will, desires, or wishes.
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
Various scriptures about walking in your purpose
When we live in our God-given purpose, we will manifest traits that please God. Walking in our purpose means showing character and behavior that is in line with God’s will for our lives.
“I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.”
1 Corinthians 1:10 (NLT)
Walking in God’s purpose and for God’s purpose will give us a reward, as shown in this Bible verse:
“The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work.”
1 Corinthians 3:8 (NLT)
Knowing our purpose isn’t enough. God wants us to live in it, consciously, day by day, no matter what happens to us. If we keep our purpose in front of us, we will be sure where we are going.
“So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.”
1 Corinthians 9:26 (NLT)
Our behavior will show the world who we belong to. We don’t belong to ourselves but to the One who created us (for a purpose!).
“Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.”
Philippians 1:27 (NLT)
The number one trait to show when walking in God’s purpose is love. Living in love will cause us to work together and be of one mind with our fellow Christians. The Bible is full of scriptures about love.
“Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.”
Philippians 2:2 (NLT)
If after reading the scriptures on our purpose we realize we are not living in His divine purpose for our lives, we can change ourselves for the better.
What does Proverbs say about purpose?
The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings and teachings that stress the concept of purpose, which is essential for living a meaningful and satisfying life.
One of the key ideas in Proverbs is that there is a divine purpose to everything, and that God has a plan for each person’s life. The book of Proverbs shows that aligning yourself with this purpose is crucial for experiencing fulfillment and success.
At the same time, Proverbs acknowledges the complexity of human purposes and the challenges of discovering one’s own purpose in life. Therefore, the book encourages self-reflection and introspection, as well as seeking God’s guidance and wisdom, in order to better understand and fulfill one’s purpose.
The book of Proverbs in the Bible provides several insights about purpose. Here are a few examples:
“You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.”
Proverbs 19:21 (NLT)
While people may have their own plans and purposes, ultimately it is God’s purpose that will prevail.
“The Lord has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.”
Proverbs 16:4 (NLT)
This verse clarifies that everything has a purpose, even if we don’t understand it.
“The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.”
Proverbs 20:5 (NIV)
As we can see, understanding your own purpose can be a challenging process, but with insight, introspection, and God’s help, you can discover it.
“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.”
Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)
This verse shows we may plan our own paths, but ultimately God is in control and guides our steps toward our purpose.
Overall, Proverbs emphasizes the importance of seeking and aligning yourself with God’s purpose, while recognizing the depth and complexity of individual purposes.
What did Jesus say about purpose?
Jesus Himself is God’s purpose in the flesh. He is God’s purpose for humanity.
“Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.”
Romans 14:9 (NLT)
Jesus also spoke much about purpose—the purpose of the law, His purpose, our purpose, etc. The first coming of Jesus marks the start of the New Testament, but not the end of the Old Testament. Jesus came to fulfill the law, not to abolish it. The purpose of the law is accomplished through Jesus.
“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.”
Matthew 5:17 (NLT)
In the next verse of Matthew 5, Jesus confirms again that the law hasn’t ended. The purpose of God’s law is eternal.
“I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.”
Matthew 5:18 (NLT)
Jesus also made His purpose clear. He didn’t hide it from anyone. The issue wasn’t Him giving clarity about it; the issue was with people not understanding it. Jesus lived with purpose in everything He did. No matter the resistance and push backs he got, He kept His purpose in mind and followed through to the end. Not easy, but possible. If Jesus can do it, so can we. Why? He created us in His image to do the good works He planned for us.
“Jesus replied, ‘Go tell that fox that I will keep on casting out demons and healing people today and tomorrow; and the third day I will accomplish my purpose’.”
Luke 13:32 (NLT)
Jesus’ purpose encompasses more than we can ever fully understand. But the parts He revealed to us we can grasp by grace and the help of the Holy Spirit. John 10 verse 10 makes His purpose clear, even though this is only part of His purpose. Through Jesus, we can have life and have it more abundantly.
“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”
John 10:10 (NLT)
Prayer for purpose
Father God, thank You for creating me with a purpose. At times, I feel I am missing it and feel so confused. Lord, so often I blow it! Please forgive me. I am sorry.
Help me understand my purpose. Guide me through the Scriptures on purpose so I can build a life of vision and purpose as Jesus did.
I am grateful for being a vessel for Your higher purpose. Use me, guide me, and help me fulfill Your mandate here on Earth. I don’t just want to live; I want to live and walk in purpose. With Your help, I know I can do it.
Thank You, Father, for giving me the strength, stamina, and wisdom to go on and not lose sight of the higher visions and purpose for my life. Thank You, Father. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.