Unforgiveness & Disobedience...

We tend to hold unforgiveness & bitterness as an excuse to behave a certain way; to do or not to do something; to feel justified in our behavior. Our dull human minds don't consider things like unforgiveness or disobedience to be the sins that they are. They are willful acts, things we choose with our heart - a heart that is hard, or actively hardening...

We think if we aren't living in the worlds idea of active sin, then we are good; holy even. We can become arrogant & prideful, Pharisee -ical even in this lack of obvious sin, thinking we are somehow better than everyone else because we have mastered the art of will power. But, unforgiveness & disobedience will keep us out of God's presence, & out of heaven.

Obedience is the defining characteristic in Christianity, not simply belief. Even the demons believe & shudder. They will not enter into eternal life, but rather, eternal damnation. Twenty-first century Christians would consider demons to be Christians, because, well, they believe. They could even probably recite a prayer hoping for salvation. But they will not forgive anyone, nor will they obey God.

Disobedience is rebellion which is as of the sin of witchcraft (1 Samuel 15:23). I may not be living in active sin, but if I am not doing what I know the Lord is telling me to do, I am in sin, therefore rebellious to God. And its crazy because the things He asks me to do are things are already enjoy anyway, maybe I just don't feel like doing it when He wants me to do it. Today I didn't feel like writing; I haven't really felt like it in a while, but He insisted that I write today. I was disobedient for a while but finally I couldn't stand the idea of being disobedient again.

He teaches me many lessons before He ever has me write about them. I dealt with disobedience as issues in my body, my stomach, for most of the month of February because I wouldn't obey. And He wasn't asking me to do anything hard. Many of our physical ailments are a result of disobedience, sin, in our lives. I confessed, repented, & did what He asked me to do, then all my stomach issues were repaired. Is it always like this for everyone? I don't know. But I do know that any of my physical problems have been a result of sin and/or disobedience. Once I was heeding His Word, I was healed.

Many refuse to acknowledge what unforgiveness & disobedience they have been convicted of, & continue with physical or mental ailments because they are in rebellion. We may not think we are practicing witchcraft, but if we are in disobedience/rebellion, we are. We wonder why God is silent or doesn't talk to us - maybe we should try doing the last thing He told us to do. Sometimes its as simple as confession & forgiveness. Confession, repentance, forgiveness, & obedience are all so good for the soul!