How Can I Call Myself A Christian When I Disobey God?
We don’t call ourselves Christians because we obey God. We are Christians because we have accepted God’s gift of eternal life.
I committed a sin today… I am sorry I did it. I feel like a deceitful piece of trash right now. How can I call myself a Christian when I disobey God knowingly? I feel so guilty. Would you please pray for me though I don’t deserve it?
When I first read this statement, it broke my heart. My motherly instinct wanted to hug away the pain and tell this person that they are forgiven.
We all sin. We are all born into sin. When we become a Christian, God takes our hearts of stone and gives us a heart of flesh, but the old person we were stays with us. It will not be eradicated until the day we go to heaven.
Disobeying God doesn’t mean you are not a Christian. It means you are a Christian who needs forgiveness.
God’s love remains strong even when we don’t always do the right thing. God’s love was present even before we knew Him.
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (ESV)
Despite our disobedience, God’s love remains unchanged. He desires our obedience while still loving us.
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What Does the Bible Say About Disobedience?
Disobedience is failing to follow the rules or obey someone in authority. Biblically, that person in authority is God—the Creator of the Universe. The Word of the Lord says disobedience is rebelling and that rebellion is just like practicing sorcery or witchcraft. There is nothing more opposite of God than that.
For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. 1 Samuel 15:23 (ESV)
When God chose the people of Israel to follow Him, He set up lots of rules and regulations. But with these laws, He promised lots of blessings. Israel obeyed God, and then Israel disobeyed God, but Israel remained God’s chosen nation. He did not hate them because of their disobedience, but there was always consequences.
Our natural self does not like to submit to authority. Oh, yeah, most of us do submit to the laws of the land without too much resistance. But if you are like me, there are times when you don’t want to be told what to do.
Even if you are a people pleaser, I will bet that there are times when you resent other people’s expectations of you doing what they think you should be doing. We like being our own boss.
As Christians, we want to obey God. But whether we obey or disobey does not change God’s love for us.
People In The Bible Who Disobeyed God
There are as many examples of people in the Bible who disobeyed God as there are people in the Bible.
Romans 3:23 tells us that all have sinned, and Romans 3:10, that none are righteous on their own accord.
Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit:
In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were given permission to eat the fruit of the trees of the garden, except one. God warned them not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. However, they failed to resist the temptation of the serpent and ate the forbidden fruit, directly disobeying God’s command. This act of disobedience brought the fall of humanity and introduced sin into the world.
Moses struck the rock:
When the Israelites were thirsty in the wilderness, God instructed Moses to speak to the rock to bring forth water. However, in a moment of frustration, Moses struck the rock twice instead of speaking to it as commanded. This act of disobedience led to God prohibiting Moses from entering the Promised Land.
Jonah ran from God:
In the story of Jonah, we find out that he tried to flee the presence of the Lord by taking a ship headed in the opposite direction God had instructed him to go. The Prophet Jonah was sent as a missionary to the ungodly people of the great city of Nineveh. He was to warn them of the wrath of God that would soon come upon them if they didn’t turn from their wicked ways. He hated them so much that he was willing to disobey the Lord God. His act of disobedience landed him in the belly of the great fish.
King Saul:
King Saul disobeyed God’s full instructions and elevated himself over the will of God when offered sacrifice before going into war. Through the Prophet Samuel, God gave him clear instructions of what he was to do, and he took matters into his own hands. The prophet of God announced that the kingdom would be taken from him because of Saul’s disobedience.
David numbered the people:
King David’s disobedience occurred when he ordered a census of the Israelites against God’s will. This act of pride showed a lack of trust in God’s provision and resulted in a punishment for the nation, leading to a plague that caused the deaths of many.
Samson touched a dead carcass:
Samson, a judge of Israel, was consecrated as a Nazirite and was forbidden from touching anything dead. However, he touched the carcass of a lion, which was against the Nazirite vow. His disobedience compromised his spiritual walk, ultimately leading to his failure as a judge of Israel.
The Israelites refused to go into the land of promise:
After being freed from slavery in Egypt, the Israelites were commanded by God to enter the Promised Land. However, due to their fear and lack of trust in God’s promise, they disobeyed by refusing to enter. They wandered in the wilderness for 40 years until the generation that disobeyed God passed away.
Joshua failed to seek God’s guidance before attacking Ai:
After the conquest of Jericho, Joshua and the Israelites attacked the city of Ai without seeking God’s guidance. This disobedience led to defeat. Only after repentance and seeking God’s direction did they win the battle.
These episodes from the Bible serve as reminders of the consequences of disobeying God’s instructions and the importance of faith, trust, and obedience to God’s word.
What Is the Root Of Disobedience?
The root of disobedience often stems from pride. It’s in our nature to disobey. The original sin of disobedience came from Adam and Eve, where they chose to disobey God’s command in the Garden of Eden. But rebellion against God goes back further than that.
Satan rebelled against God when he decided he wanted a place higher than the Creator of the Universe.
You [Lucifer] said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ Isaiah 14:13-14 (ESV)
The root of disobedience in us can always be traced back to the desire to be masters of our own life. But disobedience is only a byproduct of the true problem with humankind.
In the New Testament, we find the Apostle Paul reminds the church in Ephesus that we all began as “sons of disobedience”.
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience–among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath.
How Do I Stop Being Disobedient To God?
There’s a legend that goes something like this:
An old Cherokee was teaching his grandson about life.
“There is a fight going on inside me,” he said. “It is a terrible fight between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.
The same fight is going on inside you – and inside everyone.”
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked, “Which wolf will win?”
The old Cherokee answered, “The one you feed.”
The two wolves this wise grandfather was speaking of could be compared to our flesh and our spirit. Our flesh desires to serve self, but our spirit desires to worship The Spirit, God.
Paul did a good job explaining this predicament when he said:
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. Romans 7:18
In me, he says, there is nothing good. But in the following verses, Paul explains that he desires to do God’s law, and he does it with his mind. He chooses to obey!
Paul chooses to feed the spirit and starve the flesh.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:7-8
Overcoming disobedience is a choice. God made us people with free will. He wants us to make our own choices, and He wants them to be the right choice. But God loves you so much that He will not force you into the right path. It’s a choice.
Choose to obey God.
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I Am holy.” 1 Peter 1:13-16
Jesus chose to obey the Father. He left the realms of glory to give Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. Jesus lowered Himself by becoming human. And then He allowed Himself to be tortured for our transgressions. Lastly, Jesus knowingly experienced the separation of God when the Father turned from Jesus as our sins were placed on the cross with Him.
Jesus, being fully God, chose to allow Himself to be subjected to the Father’s will for us.
Jesus chose to obey God, and that was always His message while He was here on earth.
My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work. John 4:34
I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not My own will but the will of Him who sent Me. John 5:30
For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of Him who sent Me. John 6:38
And obedience to the Father’s will must be our desire too. It’s a choice that you have to make. Sometimes daily, sometimes moment by moment.
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:12-14 (ESV)
What Are The Benefits Of Being Obedient?
The most significant benefit of being obedient to God is that it keeps the doors of communication open with Him. The second most important benefit is that obedience blesses. It blesses us, and it blesses others.
Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it! Luke 11:28
But there are so many more benefits—innumerable benefits. Keeping God’s commandments keep us safe from things we may not even know that could’ve happened.
You know the saying, “wrong place at the wrong time”; by obeying God’s Word, we stave off a lot of trouble just by being out of the “line of fire,” sort of speak.
Benefits of Obedience
- Our prayers get answered—1 John 3:21-22, “Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do what pleases Him.”
- We may gain wisdom—James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
- We’ll have victory over sin—1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
- Our spirit will walk in peace—Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
- Joy will fill our hearts—Psalm 19:8, “The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.”
You are a Christian if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. And although nothing makes God happier than your obedience, He will not turn His back on you if you disobey.
However, like any good Father, there will be consequences if we remain in our disobedience without repentance. God’s love is not blind; it is just and good, and He wants us to obey His word for our good and His glory.
Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV)
10 Bible Verses About Being Obedient
Here are ten Bible verses with their Scripture references. Read them, study them, and memorize them. If you would like a free printable of these verses, you’ll find a link below.
- Matthew 7:24 – Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (ESV)
- Luke 6:46 – Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? (ESV)
- John 14:15 – If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (ESV)
- John 14:21 – Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him. (ESV)
- Acts 5:29 – But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’ (ESV)
- Romans 2:13 – For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. (ESV)
- 2 Corinthians 10:5 – We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. (ESV)
- 1 Peter 1:14-15 – As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct. (ESV)
- 1 John 3:22 – And whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. (ESV)
- 1 John 5:2-3 – By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. (ESV)
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