The Fruits of Disobedience

"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." (Hebrews 13:17 KJV)

“Of Mans First Disobedience, and the Fruit,Of that Forbidden Tree, whose mortal tast, Brought Death into the World, and all our woe, With loss of EDEN, till one greater Man, Restore us, and regain the blissful Seat,…”John Milton

Obedience is compliance with what is required by rightful authority. We need to obey those who lead and guide us; our parents, our teachers, our church leaders, and our Government leaders. People who fail to accept the discipline of rightful authority are arrogant and stubborn and their insubordination makes life difficult for others. Those who are obedient to their parents and teachers are enlightened with much knowledge and prepared for life’s challenges, while the disobedient end up suffering from their inability to learn and therefore making wrong choices for which they are punished. God blesses those who submit to his discipline with a harvest of righteousness, self respect and peace.

We are free to choose who we obey and to enjoy or suffer the consequences of our choice. Joshua chose obedience to God for his family and himself. The question he posed to all was, “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15 N.I.V)

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"It is for each of us freely to choose whom we shall serve, and find in that obedience our freedom. "  Mary Richards

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