The Protection of Obedience
I was hipped to a secret about obedience recently that I would like to share with you: obedience is a sure way to secure our righteousness from the enemy’s attacks. Obedience serves as a fortified wall around our mind, with the power and strength to preserve our peace and strengthen our faith. Obedience expands our faith by making room for us to witness and stand testimony to the goodness and faithfulness of God. Obedience opens our hearts to hopeful expectation and miracles that God performs every single day.
Recently, I willingly disobeyed The Lord’s commands. This disobedience weakened my ability to discern the way he chose to manifest himself to me. Let me explain, I have been in prayer for God to reveal to me the truth as to what spirit was the cause of certain things that were taking place in my life (Him or something else). As I sought counsel, I was instructed by God to not seek counsel from someone specifically, but of my own fleshly curiosity, I did. Inevitably, this led to confusion and doubt. This disobedient act spiraled from confusion and doubt to a hardened heart and discouragement. During this time, I had a dream that tapped into my initial dilemma, but instead of clear understanding and interpretation, I was met with a spiritual existential crisis of haziness and fog about its meaning. My mind was flooded with uncertain and confusing thoughts like: “What is God telling me about this dream? What does it mean? Did I jeopardize his promise to me through my disobedient act?” I was filled with despair, discouragement, hopelessness and guilt.
I sought proper counsel, confessed my sin and repented, yet my spirit still felt uneasy and unsettled. I continued to pray and ask Jesus to soften my heart once again, surrendering to His outcome. I had to break down the wall that I built up in my heart against his will out of fear and dare I say, pride brought on by the counsel I was told not to seek out. But by God’s faithfulness and mercy, He did soften my heart, but not without giving me this lesson about obedience, “Had you remained obedient, you would not have questioned the interpretation of your dream that I sent to you. You would have recognized it as my answered prayer for you…
Your disobedience gave the enemy an opportunity to put his foot into the doorway of your mind to plant seeds of doubt and confusion when it came time for discernment.”
When we remain obedient, it serves as a hedge of protection around our minds and hearts. It helps make clear to us the voice of God and his intentions. It sharpens our discernment which strengthens our trust in His ways. The dream I had was scheduled for that night, but my disobedience, not so much, not that it took God by surprise, but its consequences surely shook me. If I would have remained obedient, there would not be room for the enemy to speak doubt in my mind, stirring up confusion in my heart, and causing me to question the promise God has given me. I would have had peace in my obedience therefore a clear mental path to interpret the dream and discern God’s message. What should have been a moment of praise through God answering my prayer, turned into unnecessary faith crisis.
Therefore, I urge you, remain obedient and find rest in its safety. Be planted in the peace of your obedience to the commands of The Lord and remain steadfast in its protection. There are no small acts of obedience, nor are there small acts of disobedience. Each act of obedience draws you closer to Jesus, more familiar with his voice and fortifying your mind with his word; each act of disobedience makes his voice a bit more unclear therefore his very prevalent works in your life, murky. Take each command God has given you with great value and weight (even as the enemy attempts to convince in your heart that it isn’t), as essential to your path on this earth and in the eternal because in His heart, it really is just that serious.
Scripture References
“Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.” – Deuteronomy 5:33
“He replied, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.'” – Luke 11:28
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” – John 10:27
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58
