When We Obey
Rebellion

Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 15:24-29

Key Verse: 1 Samuel 15:23

“For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
he has rejected you as king.”

The prophet Samuel compares rebellion (which is the opposite of obedience) to divination. Divination is a black magic listed in Deuteronomy 18:10 with the sins of witchcraft, sorcery, and those that sacrifice their children on altars. Wow! Rebellion is really a serious matter according to this comparison!

Rebellion is the revolt from and resistance to God’s rule over our lives. When we mount a rebellion against a known desire of God, we literally go to war against His reign! As Christ followers, we certainly don’t consciously think of disobedience in these terms, but, in fact, this is what is happening!

Are you living in rebellion against God’s rule in your life? Are you putting up resistance to some nudge of the Holy Spirit in your heart? To move beyond the ordinary, to be more than ok with God, if we want to delight Him, we must rid ourselves of all rebellion. This rebellion can be very subtle. We can become passive aggressive with God, meaning: no open confrontation, but finding ways to resist!

If the Spirit is speaking to you while reading these words, stop reading and say a prayer of surrender! Tell God your heart’s desire. Confess your rebellion and seek His forgiveness. Resolve in your mind that God is right, and you are going to obey Him in all your ways as He helps you!

Father, I surrender the areas of resistance that creep into my life. I give you permission to point them out and keep guiding me to victory. I pray in Jesus’ Name, Amen.