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Staying in God's Blessing: The Danger of Rebellion and the Power of Submission

We can't allow rebellion or disobedience to enter our lives because when we do, we infringe on our inheritance and possession rights as believers. Rebellion is anything contrary to God's will, and Scripture actually calls it a sin of witchcraft.

Many Christians might think, "I'm not a witch!" But when you deliberately do what God has told you not to do, you're operating in rebellion. Unlike how we often treat our children with multiple warnings, sin is sin the first time.

What Does Rebellion Look Like in the Bible?

In the New Testament, we see a sobering example with Ananias and Sapphira. During a time when believers were selling possessions to meet community needs, this couple sold property but lied about the amount they received. They wanted the blessing and recognition without the full sacrifice.

They didn't have to give anything, but they chose to lie about what they were giving. The result? They dropped dead because of their rebellion and deception. This teaches us that we can't say, "Lord, I'm giving you everything" while only giving a portion and expecting full blessings.

How Should Christians Live Differently from the World?

Ephesians 4:17-32 gives us clear instruction. As believers, we must no longer walk as unbelievers do "in the futility of their minds." Unbelievers are described as:

• Darkened in understanding

• Alienated from God's life

• Ignorant due to hardness of heart

• Callous and given to sensuality and impurity

But this is not how we learned Christ! We're called to:

• Put off the old self with its corrupt desires

• Be renewed in the spirit of our minds

• Put on the new self created in God's likeness

What Practical Steps Can I Take to Live in Submission to God?

The passage continues with practical instructions:

1. Put away falsehood and speak truth

2. Be angry but do not sin

3. Don't let the sun go down on your anger

4. Give no opportunity to the devil

5. Work honestly instead of stealing

6. Speak words that build up rather than corrupt talk

7. Don't grieve the Holy Spirit

8. Put away bitterness, wrath, anger, slander, and malice

9. Be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving

The Danger of "Repent Later" Thinking

Too many Christians live as if none of this matters, thinking, "I can do whatever I want and repent later." While God will forgive us, living with this mindset sets us up for failure. Everything we do as Christians will be accounted for before the Lord.

We may not face the judgment that leads to hell, but we will stand before our Maker and give an account for every idle word. That's why we need to pray, "Lord, help me today to be better than I was yesterday. Help me to be more of a Christian. Help me to love people more."

How Does the Holy Spirit Help Us Stay Submitted?

Jesus went around doing good because He was full of the Spirit. We can't truly be good without the Spirit of God—we'd just be acting good. To stay on our possessed land (our inheritance in Christ), we must continue to submit.

When we fail to submit, we're like an untrained dog that refuses to obey. Eventually, there are consequences. The world needs to see true Christianity through our submitted lives. When people who call themselves Christians live contrary to God's Word, it doesn't teach others the fear of the Lord or why they should believe.

Life Application

This week, focus on staying submitted to God through:

1. Reading your Bible daily

2. Praying consistently

3. Fasting when led

4. Seeking the Lord in every decision

Ask yourself these questions:

• Am I giving the enemy opportunities in my life through rebellion?

• What areas of my life am I still trying to control rather than submitting to God?

• Do my words and actions reflect Christ to those around me?

• Am I living with a "repent later" mindset in any area?

Remember, we can't expect to experience God's peace and blessing while living in rebellion. True Christianity isn't about going through religious motions while living however we want. It's about submitting every decision to the Lordship of Christ and allowing His Spirit to transform us from the inside out.

When we live submitted lives, not only do we experience God's blessings, but we also show the world what true Christianity looks like. Let's commit to being better Christians today than we were yesterday, loving God more deeply and loving others more genuinely.