Devotional for Obedience

Obedience. Some people cringe at the very word.

The definition of obedience is compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another's authority.

Most people don't want to have to comply to authority. This is why there have been wars, rebellions and riots throughout history. This is why people go into business for themselves.

But obedience in and of itself is not bad.

It is when the authority figure misuses the power that the people rebel.

Have you ever had a good boss? It wasn't hard working for them. How about a good teacher? Getting in assignments didn't seem like a big deal. And as a therapist, I see it always goes better for the family when the parents are loving and consistent.

Obedience also is harder when the person is acting in selfishness and doesn't want to comply. Regardless of the goodness and fairness of the authority.

So, we know God doesn't misuse His power and that He is good and fair. That only leaves the other option. Us acting in selfishness. How often are you not being obedient simply because you don't want to?

With our own children when they are not obedient in something we ask of them there is a consequence. It becomes a teaching moment. Our children are actually in control of when the consequence stops by then becoming obedient.

If you are in a situation today where you feel like God is punishing you, I ask you. Are you being obedient? Is He trying to provide you with a teaching moment? Now don't get me wrong. Sometimes there are terrible illnesses, accidents, and natural disasters that are not because of our acts.

But think of the areas you are struggling with. Finances, relationships, jobs, etc. The things we have control over. Are you looking in the Bible for how God wants you to handle these areas? Are you being obedient in these areas?

We all resist obedience sometimes—out of fear, pride, exhaustion, or old wounds. That doesn’t make you rebellious or a bad Christian; it makes you human. The amazing news? God’s love for you isn’t based on your perfect obedience—Jesus already obeyed perfectly in your place. His Spirit now lives in you, gently leading you into joyful obedience one step at a time, not out of fear, but out of love.

In life and marriage, obedience to God looks like:

Choosing kindness when you feel like being harsh
Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ (Eph 5:21)
Honoring your spouse’s needs above your own preferences
Saying ‘yes’ to God’s way of handling money, sex, conflict, and parenting—even when culture says the opposite

Healing obedience struggles in your life and marriage looks like:

Praying together, ‘Lord, show us where we’re resisting You in this area’
Confessing to each other, ‘I’ve been disobedient about ___ because I’m afraid/proud/tired’
Celebrating small acts of obedience together (‘Thank you for choosing God’s way today’)

Take the time to read the below bible scriptures and truly focus on what they are saying to you. Some passages may touch you differently than others. Writing down the verses in your own hand is helpful for some individuals. Possibly looking up the verses in your Bible may be beneficial. I use a NIV bible translation. Or reading them over and over to commit to memory. Whatever method works best for you to experience God's words and feel closer to Him.

John 14:15-16

"If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever - the Spirit of truth.

Matthew 7:13-14

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Proverbs 13:13

He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded.

1 Samuel 15:22-23

But Samuel replied: "Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. 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."

Luke 11:28

He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."

1 John 2:3-6

We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

1 John 5:2-4

This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

John 14:23

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20

This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

2 John 6

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

Ephesians 5:21

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Here's a short prayer if you're struggling to find the words:

Father, I confess I often resist You—and my spouse—out of fear, pride, or selfishness. Thank You that Jesus obeyed perfectly for me and that Your commands are for my good. Fill me with Your Spirit today so obeying You feels like love, not burden. Show my spouse and me one specific way You’re asking us to obey together right now. Make obedience sweet again. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Try one of these today:

Ask your spouse or trusted friend, ‘Is there one area you feel I’m resisting God right now?’ and listen without defending.
Pick one clear command you’ve been avoiding (tithing, forgiving, speaking gently, etc.) and take one small step of obedience today.
Pray together for 60 seconds: ‘Lord, help us obey You in ____ today.’

I sincerely pray that these bible verses meet you where you are today and help you to view obedience as a positive and a joy and a way to glorify our Lord!

God Bless!

Melissa