What Obedience Means

20 “But I did obey the Lord,” Saul insisted. “I carried out the mission he gave me. I brought back King Agag, but I destroyed everyone else. 21 Then my troops brought in the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and plunder to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.” 22 But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. 23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”

1 Samuel 15:20-23 (NLT)

OBEDIENCE to GOD means:

1. Doing what GOD says.

What’s evil?

Anything you love more than God.

1 Timothy 6:10 (NLT) 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

Anything you put before God.

Ephesians 5:16 (CET) These are evil times, so make every minute count.

Anything you desire above God.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NLT) You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

2. Not giving excuses.

3. Fully submitting.

1 Samuel 15:22 (NLT) Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.

1 Samuel 15:23 (NLT) 23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.