In our journey of faith, we often encounter a subtle yet dangerous pitfall – partial obedience. It’s a trap that many of us fall into, believing we’re following God’s will while holding back crucial parts of ourselves. This “almost obedience” might seem harmless, but it’s a form of spiritual sabotage that stunts our growth and distances us from God.
Consider the childhood lesson of “mama rules” – do what I said, how I said to do it, and when I said to do it. As children, we might have tried to negotiate these rules, cleaning our rooms by stuffing everything into the closet instead of truly tidying up. While this behavior might be expected from a child, it becomes problematic when we carry it into our adult spiritual lives.
Somewhere between adolescence and adulthood, we’ve maintained this habit in our walk with God. We still “stuff things into the closet,” partially obeying what God has commanded us to do. The stakes are higher now, and the closets are bigger, but we’re still indirectly disobeying God through our partial compliance.
This partial obedience manifests in various ways:
1. We say we’ll forgive, but refuse to forget.
2. When God tells us to cut ties, we set “boundaries” instead.
3. We make room for God’s will, but only within the confines of our convenience.
4. We delay our obedience, saying we’ll follow God’s call “later.”
5. We give, but only when we feel we can afford it.
6. We surrender, but always with conditions.
The truth is, partial obedience is not innocent or harmless – it’s spiritual sabotage. It leaves us stunted in our faith, yearning for more but unable to grow. We end up as adults still wondering why God feels distant, not realizing that our “almost obedience” is the very thing keeping us from experiencing the fullness of His presence and blessings.
The Bible provides a striking example of this in 1 Samuel 15, with the story of King Saul. God commanded Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites – every person, animal, and possession. Saul obeyed… partially. He spared the Amalekite king and kept the best livestock, justifying his actions as a means to make sacrifices to God later.
But God’s response through the prophet Samuel was clear and harsh: “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. Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.” (1 Samuel 15:22-23)
This passage underscores a crucial truth: God doesn’t speak in suggestions, but in commands. He doesn’t call us to almost obey Him – He calls for complete surrender and obedience.
So how can we recognize when we’re falling into the trap of partial obedience?
1. We obey God where it’s convenient but avoid Him when it’s costly. We might attend church and volunteer, but refuse to walk in purity or forgive those who’ve hurt us.
2. We trust our will over God’s word. The spirit of rebellion whispers that it’s okay to figure things out later or that God’s commands don’t apply to our specific situation.
3. We justify our actions instead of simply obeying. Like Saul, we might have “good intentions” that we use to rationalize our disobedience.
To combat this tendency towards partial obedience, we can:
1. Start with daily surrender, not daily performance. Begin each day with Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
2. Strengthen our spiritual awareness. Learn to recognize when we’re justifying sin rather than repenting, or blaming others for our disobedience.
3. Confess fully and honestly. James 5:16 reminds us that confession is the beginning of healing.
4. Obey God’s voice before we fully understand it. This means acting on faith, even when it’s uncomfortable, costly, or confusing.
The beautiful truth is that God’s correction doesn’t come from a place of anger or disappointment, but from His unconditional love for us. Just as a loving parent corrects a child to guide them towards what’s best, God’s desire for our complete obedience stems from His perfect love and His knowledge of what will truly fulfill us.
We don’t obey out of fear of punishment, but as a response to God’s incredible love – the “so love” described in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
As we reflect on our own lives, let’s ask ourselves: When God clearly speaks, do we completely obey? And if not, what would our lives look like if we did? What heartaches could we avoid? What blessings might we experience?
Full obedience to God is challenging, but it’s also simple. It’s what He desires from His sons and daughters, and the life that springs from this obedience is unparalleled. There’s nothing quite like the peace, joy, and fulfillment that come from fully surrendering to God’s will.
Today, let’s commit to moving beyond partial obedience. Let’s surrender fully to God, trusting in His love and wisdom. As we do, we open ourselves to experiencing the abundant life He promises – a life marked by growth, purpose, and an ever-deepening relationship with our Creator.
Remember, it’s never too late for a new beginning. Today can be the day you choose complete obedience, holding nothing back, offering no justifications. In doing so, you’ll discover the incredible journey that awaits when we fully align our lives with God’s perfect will.