Levels Of Obedience I

“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do” Josh.1:8 [emphasis added].

You have read in the Bible that we should study it, meditate on it, and just do it. Peter asked Jesus how many times does one forgive his brother in a single day and Jesus said seventy times seven in a single day. You have read it, meditated on it, just do it. Someone has offended you, the next thing you do is forgive. But rather you are saying no one understands, you need time… What do you need time for? To forgive? Are you doing the person a favor? You are doing yourself a favor. You do not need time; you do not even have time. What if Jesus comes while you are spending time licking your wounds? Time is not yours, forgiveness has to be now. Just forgive and move on with your life.

You have seen something about your finances in the Word of God; just obey it [just do it]. Just do it is the foundation of our obedience. There are three levels of obedience; the first level of obedience is to the Word of God. The second level is obedience to the Spirit of God. What is the Holy Spirit telling you to do? Do it. It may be tough but just do it. It is interesting that we only say what God is telling us to do is tough until the blessings and the rewards come then it is no longer tough. The Holy spirit will not lead you contrary to the Word of God, so if you are getting a leading that is contrary to the written Word of God you can be sure it is not the Holy Spirit so discard it. A successful businessman says business is good, God is taking him higher in every area of his life even materially. He is being asked to take a chieftaincy title and tradition says the chief is entitled to two wives. God is doing the miraculous and he believes the Holy Ghost is saying he should take the chieftaincy and a second wife. Immediately you can tell that is not in line with the Word of God. The Holy Spirit cannot be leading you to take that chieftaincy if that is the condition because it is at variant with the Word of God. Where there is a conflict, you default to the Word. If what you think the Holy Spirit is saying is contrary to what the Word says, the Word takes precedence. Even if an angel appears to you and tells you something contrary to the Word of God you can conclude that it is not an angel of light. It is an angel of darkness appearing as an angel of light. The third level of obedience is authority. Authority means the government, God wants us to obey the government? Yes. God expects you to obey the laws the government has put in place. However, if what the authority says contravenes what the Holy Spirit or the Word says what takes precedence is the Word of God.

Prayer: Father, please fill me with Your Spirit of wisdom and understanding, help me discern Your will and obey it in all things, in Jesus Name.