To Hear Is To Obey

I can remember the moment as if it were yesterday.  The worship team had just wrapped up a powerful, spirit filled set and the atmosphere in the sanctuary was one which you could tangibly feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. As Pastor Marco took the stage and began to preach the message, I immediately found myself nodding in agreement to every word he spoke.  The “amens” flowed effortlessly as I thought to myself, “ok God, you are going to take it easy on me today.” It was clear that on this particular Sunday, I would leave the church ensured, confident, and empowered. I smiled to myself as I relaxed and settled in for the comfortable experience that lay ahead. It was in just that moment when BAM, conviction struck and struck hard! I immediately found myself physically uncomfortable and noticeably disturbed. My posture went from “lounging by the pool”, to squirming incessantly like a 3rd grader eagerly awaiting to use the bathroom. I clearly remember feeling as if there were a spotlight shining directly on me as the entire service looked on in disbelief at my sin. Sound familiar?  

Conviction can and probably will hurt, but if we obey the voice of the Holy Spirit, we unlock increased understanding resulting in unlimited blessings. “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” (Hebrews 4:12)  Conviction can cause us to leave a church indefinitely or it can cause us to want more. How conviction impacts us is based on our hearts desire to receive and accept change, discomfort, and ultimately growth.  The question is simple, do we wish to remain comfortable and stagnant or to face discomfort while we grow in Christ?

In the Book of Mark we see this example quite clearly between King Herod and John the Baptist. John spoke clearly and in truth when he told Herod “It is against God’s law for you to marry your brother’s wife.” (Mark 6:18)  Without even having to know or understand their previous relationship, we know that this correction was out of love. God’s commandments were simply His way of drawing people closer to Him and His will for our lives. How could it be anything but loving to introduce and guide a person closer to God? 

Later in the verse we see Herod reach a bit of a crossroads. He was faced with the decision to have John the Baptist murdered to please his wife as well as his dinner guests, to whom he had made a vow he didn’t want to disappoint them. King Herod had “deep regret” that this promise was made, because as the scripture identifies “for Herod respected John; and knowing that he was a good and holy man, he protected him. Herod was greatly disturbed when he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him.”  (Mark 6:20)

My prayer is that you are able to see and identify the comparison. Just as it did for me that Sunday in the sanctuary, conviction, while it may (and should) sting, has purpose. It is God’s way of refining, boiling off the impurities of our spirit, and drawing us closer to His will and purpose over our lives. Be mindful to not let the opinion and worldview of others block or deter you from the voice of the Holy Spirit. Herod’s consequence was the guilt of beheading a great and holy man in John the Baptist. I ask that you take a moment to reflect on a possible time where you placed the opinion of people over God’s guidance? What was the outcome?  

Simply listening to God’s word does not equate to obedience. Obedience requires action. “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says.  Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” (James 1:22) “For merely listening to the law does not make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight.” (Hebrews 3:13) If we truly wish to have a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God, it will require action, sacrifice, submission, and a great deal of discomfort. However, the promise of God’s Word will always surpass anything we could begin to imagine.    “So Moses told the people, “You must be careful to obey all the commands of the Lord your God, following His instructions in every detail. Stay on the path that Lord your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land that you are about to enter and occupy.” (Deuteronomy 5:33)

Prayer: Lord we thank You for all that You are. As a parent lovingly corrects a child with intent and purpose, let us be reminded of the purpose of Your correction.  We ask for the wisdom to understand that You refine us from a place of love and Your desire for wanting more for our lives. Lord we pray for not only the ability to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, but to walk in obedience to Him regardless of how it feels. We ask that you continue to remove anything and everything that is not of You, to bring us renewed strength, and to keep us consistently desiring Your presence over our lives. While we cannot even begin to fathom the richness and abundance that You have in store for us, we bring thanks and praise for Your faithfulness and sacrifice. We love You Jesus. In Your mighty name we pray. Amen.