As a child, George spent time at the court of his uncle and godfather in Saxony, which resulted in a lifetime friendship.

After he and his brother Barnim IX took up government jointly, George showed an interest in the efforts of the Reformation, yet he personally remained faithful to the Catholic church.

But on 26 August 1529, a compromise was struck, the Treaty of Grimnitz, with Elector Joachim I of Brandenburg thanks to the mediation of the Dukes Eric I of Brunswick-Göttingen-Calenberg and Henry the Younger of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel.

Domestically, a dispute with his brother Barnim IX, who wanted to divide the country, began after the Treaty of Grimnitz had been ratified.

The situation changed somewhat after George died, aged 38, at Stettin, as his son and successor Philip I, joined the Reformation.