---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Many people are willing to be…"
description: "\"Many people are willing to be God-centered as long as they feel that God is man-centered\" — John Piper"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd8/john-piper-255_feels_many-people-are-willing-to-be-god-center_92096.png"
---

#  Many people are willing to be God-centered as long as they…

![“Many people are willing to be God-centered as long as they feel that God is man-centered” quote by John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd8/john-piper-255_feels_many-people-are-willing-to-be-god-center_92096.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd8/john-piper-255_feels_many-people-are-willing-to-be-god-center_92096.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd8/john-piper-255_feels_many-people-are-willing-to-be-god-center_92096.png)

> “Many people are willing to be God-centered as long as they feel that God is man-centered”

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

People often claim to prioritize God yet still center their worldview on human concerns, revealing a tension between true devotion and self‑interest.

**In simple terms:** God‑centeredness can be masked by human‑centered motives.

Key Takeaway

Examine motives behind faith.

Themes

theology self‑examination humility authenticity

Mood

challenging thought‑provoking

Type

exhortation reflection

When to use this quote

- sermons
- small‑group studies
- personal journaling

Key Concepts

spiritual integrity religious practice

Practical Applications

- preaching on true discipleship
- writing articles on spiritual sincerity

Questions to Reflect On

- What does it mean to be truly God‑centered?
- How can we guard against self‑centered spirituality?

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/)

## Related quotes

> [You ought to marry someone who’s willing to go anywhere for God. If they’re not, they're out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/you-ought-to-marry-someone-who-s-willing-to-go-anywhere-for-god-if/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [But whatever you do, find the God-centered, Christ-exalting, Bible-saturated passion of your life, and find your way to say it and live for it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/but-whatever-you-do-find-the-god-centered-christ-exalting-bible/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [A God-centered theology has to be a missionary theology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/a-god-centered-theology-has-to-be-a-missionary-theology/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [Exultation that does not flow from education, affections that do not flow from knowing, savoring that does not flow from seeing, feeling that does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/exultation-that-does-not-flow-from-education-affections-that-do-not/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [“God created the world to exhibit the fullness of His glory in the God-centered joy of His people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/god-created-the-world-to-exhibit-the-fullness-of-his-glory-in-the-god/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [“In the end, the only 'good name' that matters is not how men feel about us, but how God feels about us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/in-the-end-the-only-good-name-that-matters-is-not-how-men-feel-about/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [“God is willing! God will save! God will rescue! God will restore! God will revive! God will empower! God willing and He will do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/god-is-willing-god-will-save-god-will-rescue-god-will-restore-god/)

[Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/)

> [Holiness does not consist in mystic speculations, enthusiastic fervours, or uncommanded austerities; it consists in thinking as God thinks, and willing as God wills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brown/holiness-does-not-consist-in-mystic-speculations-enthusiastic/)

[John Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brown/)

> [I can't emphasize how important these things are. I hear so many of my friends complain about how they don't have time. If I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-scott/i-can-t-emphasize-how-important-these-things-are-i-hear-so-many-of-my/)

[Rachel Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-scott/)

> [Ask for what you want, but be willing to take what God gives you. It may be better than what you asked for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/ask-for-what-you-want-but-be-willing-to-take-what-god-gives-you-it/)

[Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/)

> [“Yes. Just now, I was actually trying to rank 'I love you, I like you, I worship you, I have to have my cock…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/yes-just-now-i-was-actually-trying-to-rank-i-love-you-i-like-you-i/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [There is no excellence anywhere without labor. We would think a man foolish indeed who would say, "I am willing that my business should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-w-nibley/there-is-no-excellence-anywhere-without-labor-we-would-think-a-man/)

Charles W. Nibley

> [Desire is the putting of my will into God’s concern. It’s not a passive, sitting back in your easy chair, folding your arms sort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-elliot/desire-is-the-putting-of-my-will-into-god-s-concern-it-s-not-a/)

[Jim Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-elliot/)

> [“Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? then he is malevolent.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epicurus/is-god-willing-to-prevent-evil-but-not-able-then-he-is-not-omnipotent/)

[Epicurus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epicurus/)

> [“When you and I have to move forward and make important, life-changing decisions, how do we know what to choose? What’s right? What’s wrong?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-ingram/when-you-and-i-have-to-move-forward-and-make-important-life-changing/)

[Chip Ingram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-ingram/)

## More by John Piper

> [“Even in the miserable guilt we feel over our beastlike insensitivity, the glory of God shines. If God were not gloriously desirable, why would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/even-in-the-miserable-guilt-we-feel-over-our-beastlike-insensitivity/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [The absence of God in most spheres of life is perceived to be normal, and even Christians feel it as normal - which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/the-absence-of-god-in-most-spheres-of-life-is-perceived-to-be-normal/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [“The Spirit inspired the Word and therefore He goes where the Word goes. The more of God's Word you know and love, the more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/the-spirit-inspired-the-word-and-therefore-he-goes-where-the-word/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [Do you feel loved by God because you believe he makes much of you, or because you believe he frees you and empowers you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/do-you-feel-loved-by-god-because-you-believe-he-makes-much-of-you-or/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [“Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn't. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/worship-is-missions-exists-because-worship-doesn-t-worship-is/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [What is sin? It is the glory of God not honored. The holiness of God not reverenced. The greatness of God not admired. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/what-is-sin-it-is-the-glory-of-god-not-honored-the-holiness-of-god/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [Love is doing what will enthrall the beloved with the greatest and longest joy. What will enthrall the beloved this way is the glory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/love-is-doing-what-will-enthrall-the-beloved-with-the-greatest-and/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [“If you hold a grudge, you doubt the Judge.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/if-you-hold-a-grudge-you-doubt-the-judge/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [Evangelicals are distraught over the state of America because they have not been taught that we're aliens here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/evangelicals-are-distraught-over-the-state-of-america-because-they/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [“Worship is the highest moral act a human can perform, so the only basis and motivation for it that many people can conceive is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/worship-is-the-highest-moral-act-a-human-can-perform-so-the-only/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [Do you love the cross because it makes much of you? Or do you love it because it enables you to enjoy and eternity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/do-you-love-the-cross-because-it-makes-much-of-you-or-do-you-love-it/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [“job 14:1 man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of troubles "If that isn't your experience now it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/job-14-1-man-who-is-born-of-a-woman-is-few-of-days-and-full-of/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [“Not to aim to show God is not to love, bc God is what we need the most deeply. And to have all else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/not-to-aim-to-show-god-is-not-to-love-bc-god-is-what-we-need-the-most/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [God has given us prayer as a wartime walkie-talkie so that we can call headquarters for everything we need as the kingdom of Christ…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/god-has-given-us-prayer-as-a-wartime-walkie-talkie-so-that-we-can/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

> [Ignatius, when he heard the clock strike, would say, "Now I have another hour to answer for." (Eph. 5:16)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/ignatius-when-he-heard-the-clock-strike-would-say-now-i-have-another/)

[John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

[Explore all 803 John Piper quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/)

## More Feels quotes

> [Women still, when they have breast cancer, go to work; they still lead their lives. They have to. I just did what I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-potter/women-still-when-they-have-breast-cancer-go-to-work-they-still-lead/)

[Monica Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-potter/)

> [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [We all know what it feels like to love someone and care about them and want to protect them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiana-madeira/we-all-know-what-it-feels-like-to-love-someone-and-care-about-them/)

[Kiana Madeira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiana-madeira/)

> [Pain is meant to wake us up. People try to hide their pain. But they're wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a radio.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-morrison/pain-is-meant-to-wake-us-up-people-try-to-hide-their-pain-but-they-re/)

[Jim Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-morrison/)

> [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/)

[Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/)

> [Most days, I go home and I feel rejuvenated. I feel ebullient.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siddhartha-mukherjee/most-days-i-go-home-and-i-feel-rejuvenated-i-feel-ebullient/)

[Siddhartha Mukherjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siddhartha-mukherjee/)

> [Do you think that God would separate me from my husband if I killed myself? I feel as though I am going out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-you-think-that-god-would-separate-me-from-my-husband-if-i-killed/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/)

[Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/)

> [Personal Style comes from within. It's when the woman, her individuality and spirit come through. She uses clothes to express who she is and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/personal-style-comes-from-within-it-s-when-the-woman-her/)

[Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/)

> [(knitting while on a motorcycle) "For several years she knitted in secret (my father would not approve; she was to concentrate on motorcycling and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-zimmermann/knitting-while-on-a-motorcycle-for-several-years-she-knitted-in/)

[Elizabeth Zimmermann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-zimmermann/)

> [Then come to realize that you're making mountains out of molehills. Realize how petty you've become. Sure, it may feel like you can't get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-asher/then-come-to-realize-that-you-re-making-mountains-out-of-molehills/)

[Jay Asher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-asher/)

> [A lot of indigenous cultures are deeply involved in working with ancestor spirits, elemental spirits, and demons. Many of these cultures feel that, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-pinchbeck/a-lot-of-indigenous-cultures-are-deeply-involved-in-working-with/)

[Daniel Pinchbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-pinchbeck/)

> [As a child, I had a lot of older gay men taking care of me. There's a trust there. I feel like little girls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-cho/as-a-child-i-had-a-lot-of-older-gay-men-taking-care-of-me-there-s-a/)

[Margaret Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-cho/)

> [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/)

[Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/)

> [I feel like I could eat the world raw.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-miller/i-feel-like-i-could-eat-the-world-raw/)

[Madeline Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-miller/)

Browse all 38,933 Feels quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Many people are willing to be God-centered as long as they feel that God is man-centered",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "John Piper"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/many-people-are-willing-to-be-god-centered-as-long-as-they-feel-that/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Feels"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/many-people-are-willing-to-be-god-centered-as-long-as-they-feel-that/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd8/john-piper-255_feels_many-people-are-willing-to-be-god-center_92096.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd8/john-piper-255_feels_many-people-are-willing-to-be-god-center_92096.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd8/john-piper-255_feels_many-people-are-willing-to-be-god-center_92096.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Many people are willing to be God-centered as long as they feel that God is man-centered” — John Piper",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "John Piper",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Many people are willing to be...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/many-people-are-willing-to-be-god-centered-as-long-as-they-feel-that/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/many-people-are-willing-to-be-god-centered-as-long-as-they-feel-that/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
