Walking Therein

Sometimes Doing Good Is Disobedience

New lesson for the week: Disobedience is still disobedience. Just because the disobedience involves doing something good or helpful does not mean you are obeying. So, when Eric is asked to help Jocelyn pick up the floor, and he decides he is not going to do that, but he is still being helpful by holding and rocking Lucy to sleep, he is still practicing disobedience.

Proverbs 10:17

He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.

Let's take another scenario. Eric is 22 and is working on a cattle farm. Really, this is his dream right now, and I am not discouraging it.  He wants to own, some 3000 acres and cattle. Anyway, he is working on this cattle farm, and the owner tells him to take 100 head of cattle to wherever. So, Eric decides he can do that tomorrow, because he had already planned on prepping some other stock for something else. Now, that is definitely needed, but it was not what he was told to do by the authority in his life. If the cattle owner needs them there, that could cost him money and Eric his job or even his dream.

Hebrews 13:17

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

So, when Eric is a married adult.... not sure after that if he got his cattle ranch or not .... but as an adult, he has a relationship with the Lord, and feels that it is time to move, so he prays and really feels God is directing him to northeast Texas. Well, Eric doesn't like northeast Texas. He wants to live in southwest Texas. After all, there are many reasons southwest Texas would be a good place to live: family, the weather, friends. He knows of a good church there that needs good families to move to the area, so that is where he plans to move his family.

Proverbs 28:9

He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

Well, you can see why he would choose to do what he sees as best, instead of God's actual best, if we allow that in his flesh now. I feel that we are preparing our children daily for their future. Their future tomorrow, and as young adults, and even as parents and grandparents, training future generations for the Lord.

Some examples of disobedience in the Bible are:

Eli's sons, Hophni and Phineas: 1 Samuel 2:12-4:18

Adam and Eve: Genesis 3:6-24

Lot's wife: Genisis 19:26

Jonah: Jonah 1-2

Moses and Aaron: Numbers 20: 2-13, 24

I do believe in instant obedience. Sometimes it is an instant protection for a child at a stove or one walking toward the street. Sometimes I have found, it is me telling them to finish a task that "they forget to do". Many times they later wish they had completed it when they have to miss out out on an opportunity to do something else. Regardless of whether we see that protection immediately or not, it is protection and preparation for adulthood. It is protection from a disobedient heart toward God. It is preparation for God's plan. Will they choose to listen to Him and trust Him or will they rely on what they think is necessary and important at this time? That answer lies in the here and now. It lies in the hearts of fathers and mothers to lovingly convey this to their children, younger and older.

God give me wisdom and discernment to see this in our children and teach them as you would teach them.
blessings!

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4:29 AM, Friday, January 18, 2008 .. Posted by Michelle32

Wonderful post!

Michelle32

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6:58 AM, Friday, January 18, 2008 .. Posted by hsfamily

I agree. Great post!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Karen
www.homeschoolblogger.com/salt
www.homesteadblogger.com/tagblog

Good Advice

5:57 PM, Friday, January 18, 2008 .. Posted by ichuzchrist

Thanks for posting that. You always have just the right thing to say at the time I need to hear it.

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9:52 PM, Friday, January 18, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

"Just because the disobedience involves doing something good or helpful does not mean you are obeying."

Amen, sister!

Dawn
http://myhomesweethomeonline.net

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11:12 PM, Friday, January 18, 2008 .. Posted by H0MEFree

EXACTLY!!!
We go over and over this. I think we have just about learned it!