Category Archives: Disobedience

HIGHWAY REST STOP; CAFE, FUEL, INFORMATION, WASHROOMS
Anger, Bible, Disobedience, Hebrews, Psalms, Rest, Scripture, Wrath

NO REST

HEBREWS 3:11

“‘AS I SWORE IN MY ANGER, “THEY CERTAINLY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST.”’”

Have you ever been traveling and needed to stop at a rest stop on the highway? Those rest stops are generally placed every 50-60 miles apart to allow travelers to rest every hour, if needed. So, the next time you are on the road and miss that much needed rest stop, know there will probably be another one in about an hour (unless you’re stuck in that awesome interstate traffic, lol).

There were no rest stops in the wilderness. The rest referred to in today’s verse which is quoted from Psalm 95:11 is God’s perfect rest. God was done trying to rescue this rebellious lot, so He banned them from the promised land. Albert Barnes has a good explanation of this passage. “It is called ‘my rest’ here, meaning that it was such rest as God had provided, or such as he enjoyed. The particular ‘rest’ referred to here was that of the land of Canaan, but which was undoubtedly regarded as emblematic of the ‘rest’ in heaven. Into that rest God solemnly said they should never enter. They had been rebellious. All the means of reclaiming them had failed. God had warned and entreated them; he had caused his mercies to pass before them and had visited them with judgments in vain; and he now declares that for all their rebellion they should be excluded from the promised land.”

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

We can obviously see a Sin to avoid in this verse. Rebelling against the Lord had obvious consequences. Not a single adult, except Joshua and Caleb, entered the Promised Land after they had rebelled against the Lord. Their refusal to follow Joshua and Caleb’s report and trust in the Lord resulted in their banishment. I find it interesting that once they heard God’s judgment, they decided to go ahead and try to enter Canaan. They were immediately defeated and sent running by the enemy. That’s what happens to us, as well. When we are outside the umbrella of God’s protection, the enemy can easily defeat us.

The Greek word “rest” is katapausis which occurs nine times in the New Testament, eight of those here in Hebrews (3:11, 18; 4:1, 3 (2x), 5, 10, 11). Take a minute or two and look up all those verses to see how the word is used. I particularly like Hebrews 4:10-11. “10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. 11 Therefore let’s make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same example of disobedience.”

So, we have a choice, don’t we. We can rest in Christ, or we can have no rest. What’s your choice? I choose rest. These past couple of weeks I have been forced to rest my body to recover from an expected surgery to repair a kidney bleed that left me weak and sore. I have slept more than I have in years. But my body knew I needed that rest. I also know my spirit needs to rest. I have to allow Christ to heal my spiritual bumps and bruises. He can give me perfect peace. It’s yours for the asking as well.

Thank You, Lord, for Your perfect peace available in Jesus.

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Hiker with backpack walking along a mountain ridge trail
Bible, Disobedience, Hebrews, Old Self, Scripture, Sin, Straying

GOING ASTRAY

HEBREWS 3:10

“THEREFORE I WAS ANGRY WITH THIS GENERATION, AND SAID, ‘THEY ALWAYS GO ASTRAY IN THEIR HEART, AND THEY DID NOT KNOW MY WAYS’;”

There is a spot where I go hunting on a friend’s lease that requires me to know exactly where I am going. Once I took what I thought was a shorter route to the tree stand only to wind up right in the middle of a thicket that was full of downed timber. It was practically impossible to walk through without crawling over logs and through some horrible thorny vines. Needless to say, I learned my lesson about taking my eyes off the path.

It is so easy to go astray if we take our eyes off the One Who is guiding us. The writer of Hebrews quotes verse 10 of Psalm 95 here which says, “‘For forty years I was disgusted with that generation, and said they are a people who err in their heart,

and they do not know My ways.’” These Hebrew children erred time and time again and strayed from God’s commands. But we are the same. We think we know best, right?

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

We can see an Application to make here. God is telling us to stay on the path, do not stray. The Greek word for “astray” is planáō which means “go astray, get off-course; to deviate from the correct path (circuit, course), roaming into error, wandering; (passive) be misled. Planáō is the root of the English term, planet (‘wandering body’). This term nearly always conveys the sin of roaming.” (HELPS Word-studies)

planáō which means “go astray, get off-course; to deviate from the correct path (circuit, course), roaming into error, wandering; (passive) be misled. Planáō is the root of the English term, planet (‘wandering body’). This term nearly always conveys the sin of roaming.” (HELPS Word-studies)

In Mark 12:27 we see this word used when Jesus says, “‘He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; you are greatly mistaken.’” The word “mistaken” is planáō. Sometimes we go astray when we are misled by others. We may receive wrong teaching that confuses the truth. I know those teachers will receive a greater judgment.

However, often our straying is of our own doing. In James 1:14-16 we see this clearly. “14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters.” The word “deceived” is planáō. Our own sins will cause us to stray.

So, how do we combat that? Stay in the Word. Stay in prayer. Live holy lives. Confess quickly and often. Do not give the devil an inch. You know he will take a mile. Stay on the path you know – the path of righteousness.

Father God, lead me on Your path of righteousness and keep me from going astray.

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Group of wild boars standing in a wooden enclosure surrounded by trees
Bible, Caught, Disobedience, Enslavement, Mercy, Romans, Scripture, Sin

ENCLOSED IN SIN

ROMANS 11:32

“For God has shut up all in disobedience, so that He may show mercy to all.”

I love to hunt, as you probably know if you follow this blog. And I love to watch hunting videos. There are thousands of those out there. You can watch videos about deer, turkey, bear, geese, ducks and wild pigs. That last group is a destructive bunch. They can destroy a crop in the field overnight. Some farmers have resorted to catching them by luring them into a pen which automatically shuts. I love watching a huge herd of them enter and get caught. They go wild at first and then they just settle in and keep eating that bait.

Why in the world am I talking about catching pigs? Because there is a word that is used in today’s verse which can be illustrated by that story I just told. Paul uses the Greek word sugkleió, which means to conclude, enclose or shut up. This verse is the concluding verse of the subject about the Jews and the Gentiles that Paul has been writing about for a quite a while. The remainder of chapter 11 is an eruption of praise. I can’t wait for those verses.

APPLICATION

“The verb (sugkleió) carries the idea of shutting in together, hemming in on every side, or confining within fixed limits. In biblical usage the confinement can be either literal (fish in a net) or metaphorical (humanity under sin or the Law). Each occurrence portrays an intentional act of God that precedes a gracious purpose.” (Topical Lexicon) We see this word used in Luke 5:6 where we read, “And when they had done this, they caught a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to tear;” The word “caught” is sugkleió.

The word is used again in Galatians 3:22. “But the Scripture has confined everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” I am reminded of Romans 3:23 here, as it relates to this verse. “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” We have all been shut up into sin. Why did God allow that? To show us mercy. To show us our need for a Savior.

Much like those pigs who went crazy at first and then settled down and kept eating the bait, we too act the same. We may initially try to get out of the sin that has shut us up. But if we do not turn to the One who can release us, we will settle in and continue to eat the bait of sin. I prefer freedom in Christ. Hallelujah, I have been set free from the bonds of sin. How about you?

Father God, thank You for setting me free from the pigpen of sin I had entered.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Mother and child sharing a loving hug on a park bench
Bible, Disobedience, Forgiveness, Mercy, Repentance, Romans, Scripture

SHOW ME MERCY

ROMANS 11:30

“For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience,”

Do you remember the childhood game of “Mercy”? Two kids would face each other and raise both hands toward the other person, palms facing them. Then you interlock your fingers with palms touching (this was definitely a pre-covid game, lol). Each person would try to bend the other’s fingers back until they cried, “Mercy!” It could be quite painful. I don’t know if kids still play that or not.

Unlike that childhood game, God doesn’t bend our fingers back until we cry out for mercy. He shows us mercy the moment we cry out to Jesus. The Greek word used here for “shown mercy” is the verb eleéō. Do you remember what mercy is? Mercy is not getting what you deserve. Because of our disobedience, we deserve judgment and hell. But because of our confession of sin and obedience to Christ, we have been shown mercy.

APPLICATION

I think the application for us is obvious. Obedience equals mercy. Disobedience equals no mercy. I have a nephew who chose to illustrate mercy to his oldest child when she was small. She had been disobedient about something and when caught, her dad took her in his lap and said, “You know what you did deserves a spanking. But I am going to show you mercy.” He didn’t realize her younger brother was watching all of this and listening. A few days later the brother disobeyed and was facing a spanking. When the dad took him in his arms, he cried out, “Show me mercy! Show me mercy!”

Are we that way? Do we disobey God and then cry out for mercy? That’s not what God does. He extends mercy because of our repentance and confession of sin. Strong’s Concordance says this word “expresses the active bestowal of mercy – an outward movement of compassion that alleviates misery.” Have you been miserable before? I can recount a few times in my life that has been the case.

The Hebrew equivalent of eleéō is racham (to show compassion). Can you think of a few times that was what the Lord did for Israel? Time and time again, we see that shown by God to the nation of Israel when they repented and sought His face. All we need to do today is the same. We need to seek His face. He is listening and actively ready to show us the mercy we desire.

Thank You, Lord, for Your mercy shown to me even when I don’t deserve it.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Large tree falling with dust and debris in a dense forest
Bible, Disobedience, Faith, Hearing, Obedience, Romans, Scripture

IF A TREE FALLS IN THE FOREST…

ROMANS 10:17

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”

You may have heard the expression, “If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it fall, does it make a sound?” Another saying is also popular. “If a man says something and his wife is not around to hear him, is he still wrong?” Not funny, by the way. But hearing something may or may not make it true. As the saying goes, “Believe nothing you hear and half of what you see.”

Paul is continuing his discussion about hearing and obeying, about the importance of the delivered message of the Gospel. Scholars debate the exact meaning of today’s verse. Some say it is not “fair” to say faith only comes to those who hear the message. What if they never get a chance to hear it? May I suggest something to you today about this verse? Let’s look at the word used here for “word.”

APPLICATION

Paul uses the Greek word rhema which the Topical Lexicon says, “focuses on a specific utterance—spoken, remembered, or freshly quickened by the Spirit. Rhēma highlights immediacy, particularity, and personal address.” Contrast that to logos, the other Greek word translated as “word” which has a broader message. Jesus is called the Logos.

Let me ask you something. Do you think God needs a person to deliver His rhema in order to be heard? I don’t think so. God can speak in all kinds of ways to get His message across. He doesn’t need a preacher, even though He does use them. We have all heard the stories of people hearing and seeing Jesus in dreams and visions. God has a way for His rhema to go forth to whomever He wants.

However God chooses to speak, faith comes from that hearing and then only once we obey. Again, as Paul mentioned in yesterday’s verse, many heard and did not “heed” the message. Our prayer should be that everyone will hear in some manner and will choose to respond to the call of Christ on their life. Jesus is a polite Savior. He won’t force Himself on anyone. But He is always there ready to give the gift of salvation to whomever wants to receive it. Tell everyone you know. Be a part of telling the rhema of Christ.

Your words are the words of life, Lord. Help me share them with all I meet.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Mother pointing finger and speaking to upset boy with arms crossed
Belief, Bible, Disobedience, Gospel, Isaiah, Obedience, Romans, Scripture

REFUSING TO OBEY

ROMANS 10:16

“However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, ‘LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?’”

As a I child, I was told things by my parents to help keep me out of trouble. And like most kids, I ignored their advice. I chose to not listen and do my own thing. As a result, I paid the price for not obeying. As a parent, I did the same with my children with the same result. Some things my children listened to and other things they ignored. Listening does not imply hearing. That’s plain in today’s text.

Paul uses a Greek word that is translated here as “heed.” It’s the Greek word hupakouó, which the HELPS Word-studies says, “is acting under the authority of the one speaking, i.e. really listening to the one giving the charge (order). Hypakoúō (‘to hearken, obey’) suggests attentively listening, i.e. fully compliant (responsive).” Paul is telling us that not all who hear the good news will respond. This is still true today.

APPLICATION

Once again, Paul goes to the prophet Isaiah. Here he quotes from Isaiah 53:1, “Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?” About this verse, Barnes says, “The form of expression, ‘Who hath believed?’ is a mode of saying emphatically that few or none had done it. The great mass of his countrymen had rejected it. This was an example to the purpose of the apostle.” Isn’t this exactly what Jesus dealt with Himself? Few followed Him although thousands heard Him preach and teach.

Hypakoúō is used in Ephesians 6:1 and Colossians 3:20 where it says for children to “be obedient” to their parents. Hearing with the intent to obey is the idea here. We are God’s children, aren’t we? So, aren’t we supposed to hear Him and obey Him? Of course, we are. It’s not that hard. But we still turn a deaf ear to Him when we want to have our own way. We think we know better. We may not say that, but our actions speak louder than words.

What is the result of someone refusing to “heed” the gospel? Paul tells us in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9. “7 …when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God, and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These people will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,…” Let’s do all we can to give the good news to those who need it and pray they will “heed” the call of the Master.

Lord, it burdens my heart to know that millions who have heard Your message will turn away into an eternal destruction.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Disobedience, Obedience, Righteousness, Romans, Scripture, Subjection, Submission

SUBJECT YOURSELF

ROMANS 10:3

“For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.”

Obedience is so simple yet so hard. Do you agree? I mean, how hard is it to drive the speed limit? Not hard at all, but how many of us actually obey the speed limit signs? There have been times (I’ll admit not a lot, lol) when I drove the speed limit. What happened? I almost got blown off the road by all the other motorists. I got honked at for “going too slow” even though I was driving the posted speed. So, what did I do? I sped up, thereby breaking the law. I wasn’t being obedient.

Paul points out in today’s verse that the Jews just did not want to “subject themselves to the righteousness of God.” The Greek word used there for “subject” is hupotassó “from hypó, ‘under’ and tássō, ‘arrange’) – properly, ‘under God’s arrangement,’ i.e. submitting to the Lord (His plan). (HELPS Word-studies) It’s a fairly commonly used word in the New Testament (used 48 times). It basically boils down to being obedient.

APPLICATION

I love how Paul uses the word in 1 Corinthians 15:27-28, where he uses it six times. “27 For HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET. But when He says, ‘All things are put in subjection,’ it is clear that this excludes the Father who put all things in subjection to Him. 28 When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.” 

Jesus, Who is part of the Trinity, willingly subjected Himself to the Father. Wow! If Jesus, Who was and is God, could subject Himself, why can’t we? We’re even told to “subject yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.” (Ephesians 5:21) In 1 Peter 5:5 we read, “You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders;” I could go on and list numerous other verses using hupotassó, but I think you can see the importance of obedience and subjection in Scripture.

Is there something in your life which the Lord is asking you to submit to Him? It could be your career choice. How about that man or woman you are dating? It could be your children. That’s a hard one. Whatever it is, just obey the Lord. Subject yourself to His Will. Let Him show you what He would have you do. Joy never precedes obedience. Mark that down. But once you choose to obey, joy will follow. Choose obedience today.

Father, I will obey You because You love me and promise such joy in my obedience.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Disobedience, Evil, Good, Obedience, Scripture, Works

PRACTICING THE WRONG THINGS

ROMANS 7:19

“For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.”

When I was in college, I had this recurring nightmare that I arrived at a class for an exam only to discover that I had studied the wrong information. After hours of cramming, I failed miserably, not from lack of preparation, but from preparing with the wrong information. If you want to do well at anything in life, you have to prepare well and use the right stuff. You will never learn to drive a manual transmission if you only drive automatics, right?

Paul states the obvious in today’s verse. He basically says, “I can’t do this because I am doing that.” He wants to do good but is too busy doing bad. Let me remind you that Paul wrote this letter from Corinth towards the end of his third missionary journey. I wouldn’t call what he had been doing evil or bad works. Just the opposite. He had put his life on the line numerous times. So, why would he say this in today’s verse?

APPLICATION

Our hearts are inherently wicked. Paul uses the Greek word kakós for “evil.” The Topical Lexicon says, “It functions as a broad moral term encompassing wicked character, destructive actions, corrupt motives, and harmful consequences.” Let me just say, people in ministry are not exempt from evil. After all, we are only human like the rest of you. I know some preachers who have their “hit list” of people they wish would get out of their way. That may sound funny, but it is too true.

Paul was writing this letter from a pretty wicked city. Corinth was not known for its wholesome atmosphere. It was full of pagan gods and idol worship. I am sure Paul struggled at times keeping his temper or his attitude in check against such evil. I truly believe today’s verse showing his confession of such things should encourage us to be more open and confessional. We have all been there at one time or another.

Let me encourage you to spend more time practicing the good things and less time the evil things. Spend more time praying than complaining. Invest more in purifying your minds and less time filling it with mindless dribble. Don’t walk into that final evaluation period having spent all your time in the wrong stuff. Walk in fully confident of having spent time with the King of kings and Lord of lords. It is His wisdom we seek, not our own.

Lord, fill me with the desire to please You in all I do and to spend time with You each day.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Bondslaves, Death, Disobedience, Enslavement, Obedience, Righteousness, Scripture, Slaves

YOU’RE GONNA SERVE SOMEBODY

ROMANS 6:16

“Do you not know that the one to whom you present yourselves as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of that same one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?”

Bob Dylan had a hit Christian song back in the late 70’s entitled, “Gotta Serve Somebody.” You should google it and listen to it sometime. The verses are great, but the chorus drives home the point of today’s verse. It says,

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You’re gonna have to serve somebody
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody

Today’s verse is another memory verse for me from our Every Man A Warrior study. It’s the perfect reminder that we will serve a master – either the devil or Christ. Paul uses an analogy that everyone who read this would quickly understand. Some estimates (which are really hard to nail down) have as much as 1/3 of the population in Rome were slaves. There were so many slaves that many feared they could take over the capital city if they chose to revolt.  So, this picture of slavery in today’s verse was one they all understood.

APPLICATION

In John 8:34 we read, “Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.’” If the Son of God tells us the danger of sin is slavery to it, shouldn’t we listen to Him? We think we can slip in a sin here and there without sin getting its hooks in us. The devil is sneaky and will allow you to swallow that hook before he sets it.

Our voluntary servitude to Christ, however, changes. Look what Christ said in John 15:15. “‘No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, because all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.’” We move from slave to friend. That would have been a crazy thought back when Christ said these words. How can a slave be a friend to their master?

Our Master Jesus is not like other masters. He is a loving and compassionate master. He not only serves as our master, but He also is our friend, our real BFF. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He always hears us and will answer in His perfect timing. So, today choose your master well. Your gonna serve somebody.

I have chosen You, Lord, as my Master. I want to serve You well.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Disobedience, Kingdom, Kings, Obedience, Power, Scripture, Sin

A NEW KING

ROMANS 6:12

“Therefore sin is not to reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts,”

Every year we see new champions emerge in various sports. I am a huge college football fan, so I will be watching to see who wins this year’s national championship. Will Ohio State, the current “king,” repeat or will there be a new “king”? Of course, I am hoping my Georgia Bulldogs pull it out again. In the end, though, whatever team wins the title, it won’t have an eternal value. It’s just football.

In contrast, the new king in our life as followers of Christ means a huge eternal value for us. Up until we surrendered to Christ, sin was the king of our life. It ruled and reigned. But…when Christ came into our lives, sin’s dominion was over. I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating. Paul is telling us plainly that we have a new king – King Jesus. He now reigns in us and has filled us with His Holy Spirit.

APPLICATION

The Topical Lexicon says this about the Greek word for “reign,” “The verb frames redemption as a transfer of government—from the tyrannical rule of sin and death to the liberating sovereignty of grace.” One commentator noted that Paul did NOT say that sin would not still be present. That’s a fact we have to live with until we go to heaven. But we are to not allow it to reign anymore.

Do you remember playing “King of the Mountain” when you were little? A group of kids find a small hill and take turns being “the king” on top while the others try to push him/her off and take their place. Man, I can remember the feeling of being on top and successfully defending my “throne.” However, when a bunch of them teamed up, they were able to “dethrone” me.

When we make Jesus King of our lives, I promise you the demons of hell will team up to try to dethrone Him in your life. Of course, they can’t do that, but they can make your life miserable if you pay them attention, if you allow them an inch of ground. Do not let sin reign in your body. It has no power over you as a follower of Christ. Yield to Christ’s reign and trust His power in your life.

Thank You, Lord, for putting King Jesus in my life.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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