Here Paul is teaching us what happens WHEN WE DISOBEY GOD, the people of God committed sexual immorality, tempted Christ, and grumbled against God, as a result they suffered severe and deadly consequences. “All these things happened to them as EXAMPLES—as OBJECT LESSONS to us—to WARN US against DOING THE SAME THINGS; they were written down so that we could read about them and LEARN FROM THEM in these last days as the world nears its end.” (1 Corin. 10:11) As Christ’s followers, we have the Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth. But if we NEGLECT His divine leadership and insist on going our own way, the Lord will let us FACE THE CONSEQUENCES until we finally repent and turn back to Him.
When we REFUSE to listen to the Lord and are determined TO GO OUR OWN WAY, we can expect the following results:
- Confusion. We’ll start to question our decision and wonder if we made a wrong choice. God’s actions at the Tower of Babel demonstrate how He brings confusion when we make decisions without God’s approval. Not only were their plans frustrated, but God accomplished His will despite them, as they scattered over the surface of the earth. “God is NOT the author of confusion…” (1 Corin. 14:33)
- Conflict. We’ll experience internal conflict when the Holy Spirit gives us an uneasiness, inadequacy, and doubt over our wrong choice. “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking BE PUT AWAY FROM YOU…” (Eph. 4:31)
- Cost. Disobedience is always costly when we don’t do the right thing, in the right time, and in the right way. “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith…” (2 Corin. 13:5)
- Loss. We will experience some kind of loss in our lives, whether emotionally, spiritually or physically. “I count ALL THINGS LOSS for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” (Phil. 3:8)
- Regret. God chooses the best direction, time, and way. Therefore, if we go in an opposite direction, don’t wait for His timing, or do it our way, we will miss His best and suffer deep regret. Remember Jonah! “The word of the LORD came to Jonah saying “Go to Nineveh”, Jonah arose TO FLEE FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish…” (Jonah 1:3)
- Discipline. If we will not listen and obey God, He’ll discipline us. His goal is that we learn to trust in Him, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will SHOW YOU which path to take.” (Prov. 3:5-6)
ONLY THEN WILL HE MAKE OUR PATHS STRAIGHT…
-Bill Stockham