Rebellion
by Liz Griffin
King Saul told the prophet Samuel that he’d obeyed the Lord’s instructions, but it was a lie. He hadn’t come fully under the authority of God and there were areas of sinfulness in his heart. Samuel had to tell him God wouldn’t overlook his rebellion.
Rebellion and disobedience to God will separate us from Him just as much as worshipping false gods or practising the occult and tapping into supernatural power which is not of God. ‘For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry’ (1 Samuel 15:23). King Saul had been anointed to lead God’s people Israel, an awesome responsibility.
Can Christians today have areas of sinfulness in their hearts? Can they rationalise why they aren’t fully obeying the Lord’s instructions with all their heart? Jesus gave a solemn warning when He said ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven’ (Matthew 7:21). He made it all so clear and simple when He told His disciples ‘If you love Me keep my commands’ (John 14:15), and ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching’ (John 14:25).
People often come to Ellel Ministries centres seeking healing, but there can be a blockage to receiving from God if we have sinful heart attitudes. God sees our secret envy, jealousy, bitterness, resentment, unfaithfulness, manipulation, lack of honesty and greed, even if it’s hidden from others. God loves us, but His love and healing power can’t penetrate the barriers of sin where sin allows the enemy to take over and control us.
The good news is that, as soon as we humble ourselves and ask God to show us anything in our hearts which is wrong in His eyes, He loves to answer our prayer. Just as we have a free will choice to sin, we have a free will choice to repent and turn to God and ask for forgiveness. The enemy can’t stop us exercising our will and bringing it in line with God’s will for our life.
Prayer: Search me, O Lord, and reveal any secret parts of my heart which aren’t under Your rule and rein in my life. Help me to have a teachable spirit, so I can obey the commands of Jesus. May I love the things You love, and hate the things You hate. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Liz Griffin lived for 20 years as an expatriate in South Africa, Bahrain and Japan, as her husband Paul worked for an international oil company. Paul and Liz became involved with Ellel Ministries in 1991 as part of the ministry team and joined the full-time team at Ellel Grange in 1995. Paul and Liz teach and minister to those seeking healing in their lives and together have written two books, 'Anger - How Do You Handle It' and 'Hope and Healing For The Abused'.
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