4 Important Truths about Obedience

At this moment of temptation Joseph had a decision to make. He had to choose which side he was going to go to war against. He could agree with his sinful nature and go to war against God, or he could agree with God and go to war against his sinful nature. Joseph chose to go to war with God. Joseph entered into agreement that this would be a sin against God, and thus waged war against his sinful nature.

If you are going to walk in obedience, you are going to have to choose which side of the war you are going to stand on because obedience is an act of warfare.

Because obedience reflects what is inside you, you cannot truly worship God and walk in disobedience at the same time (again, I am talking about a lifestyle of disobedience). Walking in disobedience means your heart is not engaged. If you are going to love God, and worship God, you must also obey God. When you love him and obey him this becomes an act of worship.

If you choose not to obey, then all your worship is just lip service. Remember, obedience reveals. At the core of your obedience is a heartfelt love and affection towards God which sets the foundation, and when this happens, your obedience becomes worship. 

Obedience does not mean you will be perfect, but it does mean you are striving and desiring in your heart to please God. Remember our definition of obedience: a demonstration by your actions, of what you profess with your mouth and what you truly believe in your heart.

The challenge today is for me and you to walk in obedience. This begins by searching your heart to see what dwells in it. I invite you to carefully investigate your attitude toward obedience. This will tell you everything you need to know about the current state of your heart and your relationship with God.

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Clarence L. Haynes Jr. is a dynamic speaker, Bible teacher, and co-founder of The Bible Study Club, dedicated to helping people live with purpose and clarity. In addition to his ministry work, Clarence has spent the last 13 years as a trusted financial educator, guiding thousands of people across the country—including employees at many Fortune 500 companies—toward lasting financial wellness. His unique ability to blend practical wisdom with spiritual insight equips people to thrive in every area of life.

He is the author of The Pursuit of Purpose, which helps readers understand how God leads them into his will, and the author of The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. Clarence is also committed to helping 10,000 people learn how to study the Bible and has released his first course, Bible Study Basics, to achieve that goal. To learn more about his ministry and resources, please visit clarencehaynes.com.