Spirit of Rebellion

DeAnna Willman photo Derek-thomson@unsplash

“Has YHWH as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obedience to His voice? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice and to listen better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. 1 Samuel 15:22-23.

When our kids were little my husband and I used to tell them that true obedience was right away, all the way, and in a happy way. Delayed obedience, partial obedience, and resentful obedience were really disobedience. They were various forms of rebellion. Rebellion is the resistance or defiance toward an authority or established convention. In their delayed, partial, or resentful obedience, the kids were resisting or defying our authority. They were also defying or resisting God and His instructions as those instructions include obedience to mother and father as they are in YHWH. As long as we were operating according to YHWH’s word in righteousness, they were to honor and obey us. God said that resistance or defiance toward Him and His instructions (translated “law”) is as horrific to Him as is witchcraft and idolatry. He calls it sin. It’s often easy to spot rebellion in a child. But, how many of us have been guilty of resisting or defying the word of God? I can pretty well bet there is not a single person who can say they have never rebelled against God and His instructions.

But, to have a spirit of Rebellion leads a person to resist or defy repeatedly, usually with self-justification for doing so. The enemy, working through the lies he tells through society and even in religion itself, often makes rebellion seem as if it is right. “that was for another time…that was only for the Jews…that is too old fashioned…it’s keeping me from being happy and I know God wants me to be happy…it makes me stick out and excludes me from others…that’s not what it means to me…that was done away with…surely God didn’t mean….we are more sophisticated that they were back then…you can do it later (delayed) …you have to do it to keep from going to hell or I better get a star in my crown for doing this (resentful)…I hate that He tells me to ___or not to___…I can always ask for forgiveness later…it’s only a piece of paper…love comes in all forms…we’re not under the law…it was nailed to the cross…Did God really say…I know it’s bad for me, but… I know I shouldn’t, but...Yes, it’s a sin, but…I refuse…No one can tell me what to do…” The list is endless. Satan can even get us to redefine words so that what we are doing can be “justified.” However, it all comes down to not wanting to follow what God (or other authority) has instructed or wanting to do what God has said not to do. Then, one decides to serve Self rather than God.

But this spirit of Rebellion is not only against God. It will be seen in every area of one’s life. Parents, government, teachers, bosses, company policies, any and every authority or convention will be resisted and defied by one with this spirit. Always with Self-justification. Again, this may not be obvious. There is a such thing as being passive-aggressive. Their rebellion is subtle, usually delayed or partial. A slight but continual pushing of the boundaries to see what one can do without getting into trouble. It’s not always an in your face “I’m not going to do what you say” rebellion. But rebellion is rebellion, and God said it is sin. He equates it with witchcraft and idolatry. One with this spirit is serving Self and Satan.

The opposite of rebellion, the truth to this lie is obedience and faith. Rebellion does not have faith in God and what He said. It does not believe God (or any authority) knows and wants what is best for him or her. It sees God and authority as being against all that one wants. To destroy the stronghold of Rebellion, one must choose obedience- immediate, full, and cheerful obedience on a daily basis. One must choose to believe that God’s instructions come from His love for that person, and out of knowing what is best for the person. One must choose to focus on truth and recognize that the rebellion is sin for which one must repent, ask forgiveness, and act differently.

If you are convicted of having a spirit of rebellion in any area of your life, confess this to God and to others. Ask God to change your heart for His instructions and to write them upon your heart that you might not sin against Him. Seek His deliverance from this bondage. Ask others to lovingly hold you accountable for obedience. And fill your mind with truth. Choose to believe and behave in that truth. Take all thoughts captive to the obedience of our Messiah. Rebellion is a lie. There is no room within the mind of Messiah (which you have if you follow him) for that lie. You can do this through the strength given to us through Yeshua our Messiah. HalleluYah! Begin today, my friend!

until next time....

“No man can serve two masters: for ether he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will cling to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and man.” Matthew 6:24

“Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit, one who, when he hears the words of this sworn covenant, blesses himself in his heart, saying ‘I shall be safe though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart.’” Deuteronomy 29:18-19