Obey

If ye love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15).

Part of living a Christian, God-pleasing life is being obedient to Him, not out of fear, but in reverence and love for who He is. Scripture shows us that obeying the Lord is foundational, not optional. There are consequences for making poor choices and wrong decisions. The stories of biblical kings, prophets, and others give vivid illustrations of this.

And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim (Judges 2:11).

Think of how many times the Israelites suffered for their disobedience in the Old Testament because they turned from God and sought to worship the pagan gods of those around them. These stories serve as powerful reminders of the consequences of sin. God is merciful, yes, but He is also just. Obedience invites blessings, while rebellion and sin bring correction.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7).

We need to fully submit to God's commandments, His guidelines, and His will. This isn't always easy. Satan works hard to convince us otherwise, appealing to our desire for control and independence. He whispers deceptive thoughts to plant seeds of doubt and distraction. We often call these rationalizations -- subtle excuses that lead us from God. However, we can stand firm in our faith, resist the enemy's lies, and let our trust in the Lord send Satan fleeing. Let's choose that path.

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