Real Obedience

Have you ever found yourself in one of those seasons when you’ve got situations going on that you just cannot figure out why God is allowing it? You find yourself saying things like: “I'm doing all the right things. I'm reading my Bible, praying, attending church, have even fasted a time or two. Why does there seem to be so much spiritual warfare in my life? Why is my prayer not being answered?” Ah, the million-dollar question. I’ve encountered this conversation with several people in the past month.

You might say, “I even repented of sin.” Hmmm… that leads to other questions. Put your steel-toe shoes on… “What is the open door to the battle?”

There are two categories of sin mentioned in the bible. Sins of commission and omission.

Commission - the willful act of doing something that violates God’s commands in Scripture, i.e., stealing, anger, fornication.

Omission - involves not doing what is right or failing to do as instructed.

“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” (James 4:17 NLT)

“For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10 NLT)

Also, check out the Parable of the Two Sons in Matthew 21:28-31

Let's focus on that second word Omission. We need to ask the Holy Spirit to show us if there is something that He has instructed us to do or not do that we have yet to comply with. This is often a big open door to spiritual warfare in our lives. It might be something like - stop listening to secular music, or quit smoking, or end a particular relationship, or stop reading horoscopes. It's not always about stopping something either. Sometimes there are things God instructs us to begin to do. For example – forgive that person, start attending a Bible study, witness to that person at work, take that college class. That's just a few possibilities.

When we say that God has spoken to us to do something, then attempt to sound spiritual when share that with others, but then don't do it we set ourselves up to be a target for the enemy. Especially in the mind. The thought battle can become very intense. When we willfully do or don't do something as instructed by God that is an indicator that it is an idol in our life.

Remember the definition of the word idol – A common definition is anything/anyone that we didn't more important than God. bible teacher John Piper describes it as “anything that we come to rely on for some blessing, or help, or guidance in the place of a wholehearted reliance on the true and living God.”

“Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” (1 Corinthians 10:14 NKJV)

“Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” (I John 5:21 NLT)

Sadly, I have seen John Piper's definition lived out in people's lives when I see them trying to get things “fixed” in their life by relying on external things instead of the Word of God and the power Holy Spirit by God's grace. Grace is not the freedom to sin (do what we want) it is what empowers us to not sin.

Closing, let's try to roll this into one simple statement. Being disobedient or having sin in our life is not always about what we call the “big sins” like murder, adultery, stealing, etc. Sometimes it all boils down to simply doing or not doing what Jesus has required of us. Is it always easy? No. But will it be worthwhile overall? Absolutely!

If this is where you're struggling, walking out a personal command of the Lord, talk to a trusted strong believer about it. Ask them to pray with you, then step out and do it. Remember one of my favorite quotes – “Obedience doesn't require understanding.”

“Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is,
And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ (Jeremiah 6:16 NKJV)

 Until next time… Keep growing in grace!