Simple Obedience
1 Samuel 15:22
And Samuel said, Hath 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 hearken than the fat of rams.
This were the words of prophet Samuel to Saul, we all know the story behind this, how that Saul was instructed to wipe out the entire Amalekites including the animals, but he chose of his own accord to keep some animals for sacrifices. To Saul this might seem so good at least he called it a sacrifice unto the Lord. But to God, this was disobedience. Saul chose sacrifice rather than obedience.
There are simple instructions given to us from the scriptures especially in the epistles, but many rather would choose to sacrifice than follow in simple obedience. For instance, there are some things that does not require we praying about, e.g there are no instructions to pray against the devil, all we have is; give no place to the devil (Eph. 4:27) to be strong in the Lord, putting on the whole amour, (Eph. 6:10-17), Resist him, standing fast in the faith. (James 4:7, 1Pet. 5:8-9). But some will rather choose to burn sacrifices, fast and starve to ensure the devil is dead.
Also, in the place of temptations and negative thoughts, or feeling guilty or self condemned, we have instructions like; Flee, gird your heart, renew your mind (Rom.12:2). In conduct, forgive, love, forbear, persevere etc.
If we follow all this in simple obedience we will live peaceably and in comfort, Rather than burning sacrifices where it’s not needed.
Believers are children of obedience, we all obeyed in faith, So adhering to Spirit led instructions from the word of God shouldn’t be difficult.
CONFESSION
I’m a child of obedience , By faith i follow God’s instructions cos they are for my benefit. Amen!
