There are many children who do what their parents want thinking that this alone is obedience. Merely doing what our authorities want, is not all there is to obedience. When we reluctantly obey an authority while dishonoring them in our heart, is the same as disobedience.
Isaiah 1:19 "If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; "
"If you are willing...and obey." Notice that wording, it is not obedience alone, but a heart desire as well that is required.
Psalm 112:1 "Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments! "
"greatly delights in His commandments!" Again, our heart must delight in God and His commands to be counted as obeying.
2 Chronicles 21:31 "And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered."
"Seeking His God" is the criteria for obedience, a heart desire to honor and obey.
1 John 5:2-3 "2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome."
God is not pleased when we obey with a rebellious heart simply to keep out of trouble or to placate the one in authority. He wants us to love Him, love His wisdom and commands.
Psalm 119:1-2 "119 1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the Lord! 2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart,"
Notice these verses speak of "seeking God." When we desire to obey in our hearts, then we will seek to meet the desires of those in authority over us.
Proverbs 30:17 "The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother will be picked out by the ravens of the valley and eaten by the vultures."
Proverbs 17:11 "An evil man seeks only rebel...lion, and a cruel messenger will be sent against him."
Proverbs 29:1-9
"1 He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck,
will suddenly be broken beyond healing.
2 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 He who loves wisdom makes his father glad,
but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4 By justice a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down.
5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
6 An evil man is ensnared in his transgression,
but a righteous man sings and rejoices.
7 A righteous man knows the rights of the poor;
a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.
8 Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet."
The child that mocks father or mother by rolling of the eyes when told to do something or does it reluctantly without diligence in the process are in rebellion in their heart, while not fully obeying.
When raising children, it was clear to me when a child was obeying to keep out of trouble or whether or not they were doing so to please me. When they wanted to please me they would joyfully go off and do the task doing it well. Even coming back to share what a good job they thought they did.
When a child was rebelling in their heart, they would roll their eyes at the direction, walk away in a prideful haughty stride and do a job that was not well done. When asked if they did what I told them to do, they glibly and arrogantly answer "yes I did" in a range boss tone of voice as though I had done something wrong in asking.
Often we know the attitude of our children by their response to our commands. In our present culture it is considered rude to command a child, our sick rebellious culture requires that we "ask" our children "if they will please" do something. This leaves the control in the hands of the child while demeaning the authority, relegating them to a friend who is asking a favor, while giving the child the impression that they are free to dishonor if they please.
God wants our heart and so do parents. When we whine, complain and mock our parents, even if we do what they ask, we are still walking in rebellion.
Matthew 6:21 "21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. "
Proverbs 4:23 "23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
Romans 12:2 "2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
1 Samuel 15:22 "Samuel said, "Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams."
If we obey with selfish reasons, even to just keep out of trouble, rather than obeying to be a blessing to our authority, then we have disobeyed God.
If we obey because our heart desires to be a blessing to our authority and because we deeply love them, then we have obeyed God and He is honored.
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