Words to Live By: Never Dismiss the Impact of Obedience
Words to Live By: Never Dismiss the Impact of Obedience
Joshua 7, Acts 9, Luke 6
August 31st, 2025
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Never short sell an immeasurably more God.
Never underestimate the power of a simple prayer offered on behalf of a complex situation.
Never dismiss the impact of obedience (or disobedience).
A core problem of disobedience is its near-sightedness. Disobedience sees the tree but misses the forest. Obedience is 20/20 faith in an immeasurable more God.
Joshua 6:15-19 (NIV) 15 On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner, except that on that day they circled the city seven times. 16 The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the army, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city! 17 The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the Lord. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent. 18 But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it. 19 All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the Lord and must go into his treasury.”
A fundamental element of obedience is God goes first. When God gets our first, God gives us His best.
Joshua 7:1 (NIV) But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So, the Lord’s anger burned against Israel.
Joshua 7:10-12 (NIV) 10 The Lord said to Joshua, “Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? 11 Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. 12 That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.
Satan is forever trying to convince us that God is not enough for us. That God doesn’t have our best in His mind. God doesn’t “get it” or me. God doesn’t understand this moment. I have to take matters into your own hands.
Sin always wants to hide, it never wants submit, surrender or be exposed.
Romans 6:23a “the wages of sin is death”.
Romans 6:23b but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Never dismiss the death in disobedience.
Never dismiss the life in obedience.
Acts 9:10-19 (NIV) 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Luke 6:46 “46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?
Disobedience bubbles up from 3 lingering impacts of our sin nature.
Independence.
Mistrust.
Fear.
What is Obedience?
Obedience is a daily transfer of ownership.
Obedience is faith in action in the love and goodness of God.
Obedience is empowered actions.
6 Disobedience Tipoffs
“No one will ever find out.”
“This really isn’t that big of a deal.”
“I deserve this.”
“This won’t impact anyone but me.”
“Just this one time.”
“This will be the last time.”
All disobedience isn’t a separating sin. All disobedience is self-limiting and a relational speed bump.
All obedience is relationship building. All obedience empowers life with God’s glorious riches. All obedience leads to life in us and others, more and better life than we could have ever imagined.
Matthew 25:21,23 (NIV) “Well done my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a few things, I will make you ruler of many things. Come and share in your master’s happiness.”
What does it mean for God to find us faithful?
I believe our faithfulness will be measured less by big outcomes and more by consistent daily obedience.