1. You Are Able to Discern God’s Will

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2)

Some people receive a word or phrase for the year, something God wants them to focus on. This year, I received an entire chapter! The Lord pressed Romans 12 on my heart as a way to walk in obedience and discern His will.

Obedience involves transformation. Our flesh would rather disobey, justifying things that gratify our wants and desires. But when the Holy Spirit renews our minds, turning us away from the patterns of the world, we are able to discern (and obey) the will of the Father.

In the words of Peter, “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. (1 Peter 2:11 ESV)

Obeying God sets you apart. It defies the standard of the world, which is constantly changing to gratify sinful flesh. To offer yourself as a living sacrifice is your true and proper worship. What a blessing to be able to discern the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God!

2. You Enjoy Deeper Fellowship with the Savior

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” (John 15:12-14)

The moment you surrendered your heart to Christ, He welcomed you as His beloved friend. To obey His commands is a sign of your love for Him. It shows deep commitment, not only in words, but in action.

Because He laid down His life for us, we want to lay down everything that stands in the way of closer fellowship with Him. All earthly affections pale in comparison to the richness of our relationship with Jesus. He is trustworthy and true, and our deepest confidant in times of trouble. To obey Him is to say, “I trust you with my life, my all.”

Psalm 37:4-6 paints the blessing of obedience, saying, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.”

3. Your People-Pleasing Ways Become a Thing of the Past

“But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’” (Acts 5:29)

Of all the issues that come up in my mentorship programs, people-pleasing is at the top of the list. It’s human nature to worry about what other people think, but for some, it’s a stronghold that limits obedience to God.

Peter’s words are clear: “We must obey God rather than men.” By saying this, he wasn’t promoting violence or law-defying actions. He was, however, emphasizing the importance of discerning God’s holy standard in every situation.

Every act of obedience should align with God’s Word. Anything that stands in opposition is from the world. As Paul said in Philippians 1:9-11, “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”

Through faithful obedience, your people-pleasing ways will become a thing of the past. And the more you practice it, the more you’ll want to live in the righteousness of Christ. Man’s opinions will become less important when you stand on the true and steadfast promises of God.

Related: Why People Pleasing Is Not What God Wants for You

4. You Are Instructed in the Right Way

“Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your instructions. I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your regulations. I cling to your laws. Lord, don’t let me be put to shame!” (Psalm 119:29-31 NLT)

We’re good at lying to ourselves, aren't we? We justify behaviors that feed the flesh rather than crucify those that block the right path. And when we listen to our own navigation system, ignoring the voice of the Holy Spirit, we eventually find ourselves miserably off track, walking in the weeds.

Obedience provides peace in knowing we are following God’s ways. We are confident that He knows best, and therefore, we are willing to walk in His footsteps. Our flesh is put to death the moment we obey, and it is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us. (Galatians 2:20)

What a blessing it is to follow the voice of our Good Shepherd instead of the thief who comes in to “steal and destroy.” (John 10:10) Peace and joy go before us as we submit to the One who leads us on paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. (Psalm 23:3)

5. You Are Delighting God

“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” (1 Samuel 15:22 ESV)

If you’re anything like me, you’ve falsely believed that the more you do for God, the more accepted you’ll be. However, the Bible tells us that we are accepted, not because of what we do, but because of what Jesus has done.

Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

True obedience comes from deep gratitude for the finished work of Christ on the cross. When you envision yourself at the foot of the cross, the blood of Jesus washing you whiter than snow, strivings begin to cease.

God is far more concerned with obedience than sacrifice. His Son already sacrificed everything for us! My friend, the work has already been done. The way has already been made. We get to obey the One who loves us and gave His life for us. What a privilege to heed the voice of the Lord! What an honor to walk in His ways! What blessings we receive when we simply trust and obey.

More Resources on Obedience:

Delightful Obedience

4 Important Truths about Obedience

He Leadeth Me: Lessons in Belief and Obedience

1. You Are Able to Discern God’s Will

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2)

Some people receive a word or phrase for the year, something God wants them to focus on. This year, I received an entire chapter! The Lord pressed Romans 12 on my heart as a way to walk in obedience and discern His will.

Obedience involves transformation. Our flesh would rather disobey, justifying things that gratify our wants and desires. But when the Holy Spirit renews our minds, turning us away from the patterns of the world, we are able to discern (and obey) the will of the Father.

In the words of Peter, “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. (1 Peter 2:11 ESV)

Obeying God sets you apart. It defies the standard of the world, which is constantly changing to gratify sinful flesh. To offer yourself as a living sacrifice is your true and proper worship. What a blessing to be able to discern the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God!

2. You Enjoy Deeper Fellowship with the Savior

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” (John 15:12-14)

The moment you surrendered your heart to Christ, He welcomed you as His beloved friend. To obey His commands is a sign of your love for Him. It shows deep commitment, not only in words, but in action.

Because He laid down His life for us, we want to lay down everything that stands in the way of closer fellowship with Him. All earthly affections pale in comparison to the richness of our relationship with Jesus. He is trustworthy and true, and our deepest confidant in times of trouble. To obey Him is to say, “I trust you with my life, my all.”

Psalm 37:4-6 paints the blessing of obedience, saying, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.”

3. Your People-Pleasing Ways Become a Thing of the Past

“But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’” (Acts 5:29)

Of all the issues that come up in my mentorship programs, people-pleasing is at the top of the list. It’s human nature to worry about what other people think, but for some, it’s a stronghold that limits obedience to God.

Peter’s words are clear: “We must obey God rather than men.” By saying this, he wasn’t promoting violence or law-defying actions. He was, however, emphasizing the importance of discerning God’s holy standard in every situation.

Every act of obedience should align with God’s Word. Anything that stands in opposition is from the world. As Paul said in Philippians 1:9-11, “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”

Through faithful obedience, your people-pleasing ways will become a thing of the past. And the more you practice it, the more you’ll want to live in the righteousness of Christ. Man’s opinions will become less important when you stand on the true and steadfast promises of God.

Related: Why People Pleasing Is Not What God Wants for You

4. You Are Instructed in the Right Way

“Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your instructions. I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your regulations. I cling to your laws. Lord, don’t let me be put to shame!” (Psalm 119:29-31 NLT)

We’re good at lying to ourselves, aren't we? We justify behaviors that feed the flesh rather than crucify those that block the right path. And when we listen to our own navigation system, ignoring the voice of the Holy Spirit, we eventually find ourselves miserably off track, walking in the weeds.

Obedience provides peace in knowing we are following God’s ways. We are confident that He knows best, and therefore, we are willing to walk in His footsteps. Our flesh is put to death the moment we obey, and it is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us. (Galatians 2:20)

What a blessing it is to follow the voice of our Good Shepherd instead of the thief who comes in to “steal and destroy.” (John 10:10) Peace and joy go before us as we submit to the One who leads us on paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. (Psalm 23:3)

5. You Are Delighting God

“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” (1 Samuel 15:22 ESV)

If you’re anything like me, you’ve falsely believed that the more you do for God, the more accepted you’ll be. However, the Bible tells us that we are accepted, not because of what we do, but because of what Jesus has done.

Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

True obedience comes from deep gratitude for the finished work of Christ on the cross. When you envision yourself at the foot of the cross, the blood of Jesus washing you whiter than snow, strivings begin to cease.

God is far more concerned with obedience than sacrifice. His Son already sacrificed everything for us! My friend, the work has already been done. The way has already been made. We get to obey the One who loves us and gave His life for us. What a privilege to heed the voice of the Lord! What an honor to walk in His ways! What blessings we receive when we simply trust and obey.

More Resources on Obedience:

Delightful Obedience

4 Important Truths about Obedience

He Leadeth Me: Lessons in Belief and Obedience