The Art of Obedience
From a very young age, we are taught the art of obedience. We are told to obey our parents within the guidelines and parameters of our home. We are told to adhere to the laws and statutes set forth by our hometown. We are taught to obey our teachers and those in authority.
Oftentimes, unfortunately, we find that the most important act of obedience, we tend to neglect.
Obedience to God, His Word, and the Holy Spirit. In this case, our obedience hinges solely on our desire to do the will of the Father.
You see, obedience is an art form. We must learn to first distinctly hear the voice of God, as he is ALWAYS speaking. This is the first step in obedience. Listening to and gaining a true understanding of the voice of God and discerning the sound of his Spirit. This takes much patience and diligence. While in this place of learning, we may find that we grow distant from the people and things that once held our attention and focus. That is quite okay. God wants ALL of us. He desires for our lives to reflect both his glory and his will.
The second step seems both obvious and simple, but, is often the most difficult to perform. The second step is to MOVE. This has to be the hardest of the two, yet, it sounds so simple. Hear the request and move on it. We’ve known how to do this since we were children. Mom says, “Clean your room.” We rebel a bit, but, ultimately, we clean that room, in fear of the consequences and repercussions that may occur.
Yet, when it comes to obeying the directions of God and the promptings of the Holy Spirit, we freeze. Even worse, we ignore his promptings altogether and move in our own direction. The consequences and repercussions of this willful act of disobedience is beyond what our earthly parents could ever dole out. We find ourselves moving outside of His will, lost and feeling regretful for not heeding his call in the first place.So, how do we move from hearing his voice, but, not acting on it? We must come to the realization that we trust ourselves more than we trust God. Ouch! Yeah, that one hurt, but, its true. If you can’t believe God that your obedience to him will be in your best benefit, I struggle as to whether you believe in him at all.
Our willingness to obey God and to take him at his Word is a direct reflection of our love and adoration for him. Trust that he has your VERY BEST interest at heart and that he knows exactly what you need in the time in which you need it. Put your trust in him. He will never fail you.
Below are some scriptures to help you to better understand the importance of obeying God and taking him at his Word.
Romans 6:16 CSB
Don’t you know that if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of that one you obey, either of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness?
John 5: 22 & 23 CSB
The Father, in fact, judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, so that all people may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.
1 Samuel 15:22
Then Samuel said:
Does the Lord take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord?
Look: to obey is better than sacrifice,
