Rebellion and distrust of God is disobedience (1 Samuel 15:22,23). It is wanting your own way instead of surrendering to God and desiring His will in all things. God expects obedience (Deuteronomy 11:26-28). To choose Christ is to choose obedience (John 14:15,21).
- What Scripture Says
- How To Correct The Sin Of Disobedience
- As You Pray
- Suggested Reading
- Positive Steps Toward Obedience
What Scripture Says
"Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today; and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you today, to go after other gods, which you have not known" (Deuteronomy 11:26-28)."Then Samuel said: Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold... rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king" (1 Samuel 15:22,23).
"If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land" (Isaiah 1:19).
"If you love Me, keep My commandments...He who has My commandments, and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him, and manifest Myself to him" (John 14:15,21).
"But why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and do not do the things which I say" (Luke 6:46).
"But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves" (James 1:22).
How To Correct The Sin Of Disobedience
The following suggestions may help you discover areas of either deliberate or subconscious disobedience to God. Begin by asking yourself whether you are obeying God in different areas of your life: personal relationships; behaviour; personal devotions; in your marriage, job or other areas; etc. Take an honest inventory of your life.Thank God for revealing areas of disobedience that you discover. Once identified, they can then be dealt with. This will result in new joy and greater faith (Romans 8:28; Ephesians 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Confess the disobedience as sin. Ask God for forgiveness and claim His promise of complete pardon (1 John 1:9). If your act of disobedience involves others who are in authority over you, try to rectify the situation with them. The Bible teaches that we can (and should) live at peace with ourselves and others. Disobedience to God and those in authority over you can block the joy, blessings and inner peace which God desires for you.
Use your will to relinquish each act of disobedience. Renounce even the desire to be disobedient. The Bible says that as a Christian, you have mighty weapons of warfare which will break down walls of disobedience. Rely on the faith of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Ask forgiveness of others; make amends where needed. Seek the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, goodness, kind- ness, meekness, faithfulness, patience and self-control (Galatians 5:22,23). As each of these qualities develops in you, the sin in your life will diminish.
As You Pray
Pray that the fruit of the Spirit faithfulness to God and other people be produced within you (Galatians 5:22,23).Thank and praise God for giving you meekness (submissiveness) and love for Him and others, even your enemies. Rejoice in your new freedom and joy in the Lord as you realize that you are free from the bondage of disobedience.
Suggested Reading
1 John 5:2,3 Test of obedience and loveColossians 3 Admonition to emulate Jesus
Psalm 51 David's repentance and desire for obedience
Positive Steps Toward Obedience
- Take a piece of paper and draw a vertical line down the centre.
- To the left of the line, list the areas in which you have been disobedient.
- To the right of the line, list the alternatives of obedience. Begin to act on the alternatives, forming new positive life patterns.
Other helpful ministry pamphlets are available upon request: PRINCIPLE OF AGREEMENT, FORGIVENESS, REPENTANCE, RECONCILIATION, BITTERNESS AND RESENTMENT, and JUDGMENTAL / CRITICAL attitudes. Crossroads is happy to help. In fact, that's the whole reason we exist as a ministry. The daily 100 Huntley Street telecast and the 24-hour-a-day Telephone Ministry line are here for the same reason. You may want to call us as you are reading this: 1-866-273-4444
God loves you and we love you! Please give us the privilege of doing our best to help more. For further ministry, you may contact the Crossroads Ministry Centre by writing to:
Crossroads Christian Communications Inc.
Attn: National Ministry Centre
PO Box 5100
Burlington, Ontario L7R 4M2
