Life’s Questions
How far does God expect you to go in your obedience to Him? Perhaps you’ve accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior and have submitted to Him in some important areas, but you’re still not certain that you want to turn every part of your life over to Him. After all, as Paul wrote, “All things are lawful for me” (1 Cor. 6:12). Salvation is through faith in Christ and you can’t lose it, so why do you need to obey His truly difficult commands?
Don’t miss the rest of Paul’s message. He writes, “All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.... You were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor 6:12; 1 Cor 6:19-20). God wants you to enjoy the freedom which He gives you in every area (see Gal. 5:1, 13; James 1:25), but the only way to attain that liberty is through obedience.
That’s why Life Principle 21 teaches, Obedience always brings blessing.
*** People questioned the power by which Jesus cast out demons, and He replied, “if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Luke 11:20). Jesus provides the only way that a person can be free, but He requires our obedience in the process.
What the Bible Says
Read Luke 11:23–28. What does Jesus mean when He says, “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters” (Luke 11:23)?
Why can people turn to religions, rehabilitation programs, psychotherapy, etc., and appear to get better, only to relapse into their old ways after a while (Luke 11:24-25)?
What do those belief systems and programs actually make room for (Luke 11:26)? What does this say about how Satan influences people’s lives?
Can a person be possessed by a demon once Jesus Christ becomes their Savior and Lord
(see 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:17; 1 John 2:4)?
In what ways can you be influenced by the enemy (see 1 Cor. 10:13; Eph. 4:27; James 1:14)?
*** As a “new creation” in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17), only the Holy Spirit can dwell in you (see 1 Cor. 6:19–20). The enemy’s unclean spirits no longer have a place in you.
What does Jesus admonish you to do (see Luke 11:28)?
What It Means
The enemy wants to control and destroy you (see 2 Thes. 1:8–9). That is why Satan will do whatever he can to keep a person from realizing his need for salvation through Jesus Christ. Once you receive Jesus as your Savior and His Holy Spirit comes to live in you, you can no longer be possessed by the enemy’s demons or be forced to do his will (see Eph. 4:30; 2 Tim. 2:26). The only thing that the enemy can do is destroy your effectiveness for the kingdom of God, and stop you from enjoying the relationship that you have with God. The enemy does this by tempting you to sin.
Therefore, whenever you disobey God, you are actually participating in the enemy’s plot to injure you and make you miserable. You are also acting against Christ, rather than with Him. Christ calls you to obedience so that you may enjoy the abundant life that He created you for (see John 10:10). This is why He gives us His Spirit, so “that [you] might know the things that have been freely given to [you] by God” (1 Cor. 2:12).
Life Examples
Read John 15:4–8. How do you produce something that is worthy and eternal (4–5)?
What is Christ’s promise to you if you obey Him faithfully (7; see also Ps. 37:4)?
*** The word abide in the New Testament means to remain steadfast, persevering in being united as one with Christ in heart, soul, mind, strength, and will. How do you remain so close to God? He’ll show you as you do what He says.
You exist to glorify God (see Ps. 86:8–12; Matt. 5:16); therefore, how do you best live out the purpose for which you were created (8)?
What kind of fruit is Jesus talking about (see Gal. 5:22–23; 1 Peter 1:5–8)? Do you exhibit these characteristics?
Read John 15:9–16. Why does Jesus have you join Him in doing His work in the world (11)?
What should your motivation be in everything that you do for God (9–10, 13–14)?
Why is it important to remember that you serve with God out of friendship, rather than for God out of obligation (15–16)?
Living the Principle
As your Creator and Owner, God knows what is absolutely best for you, and He wants to see it accomplished in your life. What is hindering you from obeying God? Are you holding on to a person, goal, or activity that is less than God’s best for you? It may be frightening to submit it to God, but do it anyway. God wants to bless you and give you freedom in that area, but He will only do so when you obey Him. Is obedience sometimes challenging? Yes. But will it be worth it when you see God working in your life and experience His freedom? Absolutely! Therefore, obey God with confidence, knowing that you will be blessed when you do.
How will you live out Life Principle 21 this week? Discuss the areas of obedience that you are having trouble with and commit to keeping each other accountable in turning those areas over to God. Then spend time in prayer, asking God to draw you into intimate communion with Himself and to transform your life, so that you can affect the world for the sake of His kingdom.
Life Lessons to Remember
How far does God expect you to go in your obedience to Him? Perhaps you’ve accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior and have submitted to Him in some important areas, but you’re still not certain that you want to turn every part of your life over to Him. After all, as Paul wrote, “All things are lawful for me” (1 Cor. 6:12). Salvation is through faith in Christ and you can’t lose it, so why do you need to obey His truly difficult commands?
Don’t miss the rest of Paul’s message. He writes, “All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.... You were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor 6:12; 1 Cor 6:19-20). God wants you to enjoy the freedom which He gives you in every area (see Gal. 5:1, 13; James 1:25), but the only way to attain that liberty is through obedience.
That’s why Life Principle 21 teaches, Obedience always brings blessing.
*** People questioned the power by which Jesus cast out demons, and He replied, “if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Luke 11:20). Jesus provides the only way that a person can be free, but He requires our obedience in the process.
What the Bible Says
Read Luke 11:23–28. What does Jesus mean when He says, “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters” (Luke 11:23)?
Why can people turn to religions, rehabilitation programs, psychotherapy, etc., and appear to get better, only to relapse into their old ways after a while (Luke 11:24-25)?
What do those belief systems and programs actually make room for (Luke 11:26)? What does this say about how Satan influences people’s lives?
Can a person be possessed by a demon once Jesus Christ becomes their Savior and Lord
(see 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:17; 1 John 2:4)?
In what ways can you be influenced by the enemy (see 1 Cor. 10:13; Eph. 4:27; James 1:14)?
*** As a “new creation” in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17), only the Holy Spirit can dwell in you (see 1 Cor. 6:19–20). The enemy’s unclean spirits no longer have a place in you.
What does Jesus admonish you to do (see Luke 11:28)?
What It Means
The enemy wants to control and destroy you (see 2 Thes. 1:8–9). That is why Satan will do whatever he can to keep a person from realizing his need for salvation through Jesus Christ. Once you receive Jesus as your Savior and His Holy Spirit comes to live in you, you can no longer be possessed by the enemy’s demons or be forced to do his will (see Eph. 4:30; 2 Tim. 2:26). The only thing that the enemy can do is destroy your effectiveness for the kingdom of God, and stop you from enjoying the relationship that you have with God. The enemy does this by tempting you to sin.
Therefore, whenever you disobey God, you are actually participating in the enemy’s plot to injure you and make you miserable. You are also acting against Christ, rather than with Him. Christ calls you to obedience so that you may enjoy the abundant life that He created you for (see John 10:10). This is why He gives us His Spirit, so “that [you] might know the things that have been freely given to [you] by God” (1 Cor. 2:12).
Life Examples
Read John 15:4–8. How do you produce something that is worthy and eternal (4–5)?
What is Christ’s promise to you if you obey Him faithfully (7; see also Ps. 37:4)?
*** The word abide in the New Testament means to remain steadfast, persevering in being united as one with Christ in heart, soul, mind, strength, and will. How do you remain so close to God? He’ll show you as you do what He says.
You exist to glorify God (see Ps. 86:8–12; Matt. 5:16); therefore, how do you best live out the purpose for which you were created (8)?
What kind of fruit is Jesus talking about (see Gal. 5:22–23; 1 Peter 1:5–8)? Do you exhibit these characteristics?
Read John 15:9–16. Why does Jesus have you join Him in doing His work in the world (11)?
What should your motivation be in everything that you do for God (9–10, 13–14)?
Why is it important to remember that you serve with God out of friendship, rather than for God out of obligation (15–16)?
Living the Principle
As your Creator and Owner, God knows what is absolutely best for you, and He wants to see it accomplished in your life. What is hindering you from obeying God? Are you holding on to a person, goal, or activity that is less than God’s best for you? It may be frightening to submit it to God, but do it anyway. God wants to bless you and give you freedom in that area, but He will only do so when you obey Him. Is obedience sometimes challenging? Yes. But will it be worth it when you see God working in your life and experience His freedom? Absolutely! Therefore, obey God with confidence, knowing that you will be blessed when you do.
How will you live out Life Principle 21 this week? Discuss the areas of obedience that you are having trouble with and commit to keeping each other accountable in turning those areas over to God. Then spend time in prayer, asking God to draw you into intimate communion with Himself and to transform your life, so that you can affect the world for the sake of His kingdom.
Life Lessons to Remember
- Obeying God in small matters is an essential step to God’s greatest blessings (see Mark 4:30–32).
- Our obedience always benefits others (see 2 Cor. 4:11–15).
- When we obey God, we will never be disappointed (see Ps. 22:5).