Let’s Talk: Your Opinion Or God’s Word?
In 1 Samuel 15:22, Samuel asks, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.”
Consider this scenario: You wake up most days, read your devotional, attend church, and even serve in various capacities. Yet, despite these outward signs of devotion, you continue to live in ways that may not align with God’s will. In light of Samuel’s question, which is more valuable: the sacrifice of these outward actions or true obedience to God’s Word?
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that our modern practices of faith—like attending church and doing good deeds—can substitute for genuine obedience. We sometimes test God by overcompensating in some areas, hoping He’ll overlook our shortcomings. But here’s the truth: God desires our hearts more than our ritualistic sacrifices. It’s not about being perfect, but about living authentically in obedience.
There’s a significant difference between actively living in sin and occasionally falling into it. One is met with grace, while the other abuses grace. I’ll let you discern which is which.
This isn’t a call to abandon your good deeds or church attendance. Instead, it’s a call to examine your heart. Take a moment today to ask God to search your heart, as the psalmist did in Psalm 139:23-24. Pray for Him to reveal any areas of your life that may not be pleasing to Him. Be prepared: God will show you, and when He does, you’ll face a choice. Will you listen and obey, turning away from those things, or will you continue living with one foot in the world and one foot in your faith?
I speak from experience. I was once the person doing devotionals and attending church while engaging in behaviors like getting drunk, going to clubs, and being promiscuous. One day, God made it clear that I couldn’t have one foot in the world and one foot in Him—I had to choose. It was a difficult transition, but it was worth it to gain Christ.
As Paul wrote in Philippians 3:8-9:
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.”
May these words encourage you as they have encouraged me. Choose Christ above all else, and let your obedience reflect your deep and sincere commitment to Him.
