You may have heard of the bestselling book by Pastor Gary Chapman called “The 5 Love Languages”.

The essential theme of this book is that most people have a primary love language in marriage and relationships.

This concept has even been extended to children, singles, and the workplace.

Now this isn’t a post to promote the book.

I simply want to use it as a precedent to get us to ask the question, “What is the love language of God?”

Do you ever stop and ask yourself, “How can I show God more love…how can I make Him satisfied with me and take delight in me?”

We’re quick to do this with our spouses and family, but not the One we’re dependent on the most.

What’s God’s Love Language?

Fortunately, God has made this very clear in scripture.

It’s not a mystery text—it doesn’t take commentary books or take multiple wise minds to ponder.

The answer is found in John 14:15, which says “If you love Me, then keep My commandments.”

Gods love language is obedience.

To some, the word obedience may cause conviction.

For others it may cause humility.

Either way, this is God’s ultimate desire and perfect will for ALL of His children.

The area of obedience is one that we all have struggled with at some point in our life, and if you’re a parent this is a daily reality.

In the natural world we require obedience from parents, teachers, laws, officers, etc.

Yet when it comes to obeying God, He’s far too often overlooked or ignored.

Obedience is so important to God that He equates it with feeling and experiencing love from His children.

Most people desire to love or be loved; this is universal across all cultures and ethnicity.

Where do you think that desire came from?

Since we’re made in God’s image then we know that our desire originated with Him.

Which is why the Bible says God is love.

Therefore, He desires it as well and that’s why when we’re disobedient it can be detrimental to our lives.

If you’re a parent you know that the utmost way you feel respected is when your children obey you.

It shows you that they honor and love you enough to do as you say.

Likewise, when a child is disobedient it causes chaos, feelings of disrespect, animosity, and ultimately a negative consequence for the child.

This is a mirror image of our reality with God.

God has all of our affairs in His divine hands because He’s omnipresent.

Meaning, He can be everywhere at all times.

He has seen your past, present, and future and knows the outcome He wants for you.

Not to harm you but for your good. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Are You Walking By Faith Or By Sight?

A lot of times because we can’t see what God sees, we try to use logic to figure it all out.

We let our feelings about a situation direct our steps because waiting and being still until He gives the next order appears unfruitful.

So instead, we step out assuming God will follow along with our plans.

But this is disobedience.

Luke 11:28 says, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

Obedience brings blessings and moves the hand of God in your life.

When God calls you to do something He doesn’t ask if you have the money, resources, or time to do it.

He simply says do it and that He will provide for all of your needs.

But you must take the first step in faith.

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

One Prideful Mistake Cost Him Everything

Let’s take a look at a man who thought his actions were good but in reality were counted to him as disobedience.

Saul was anointed the first king of Israel by God through the prophet Samuel.

God assigned him the special mission of destroying a pagan city including everything in it.

Well, Saul did just that, except one small thing that cost him his position as king.

He let his pride get the best of him when he did what he thought was right in his own eyes.

He reserved the best sheep to offer as a sacrifice to God.

He thought this would be good in the sight of the Lord and that only the ugly and worthless cattle were to be destroyed.

But this went against God’s command and it kindled great anger in the Lord.

And because Saul rejected God’s command, God rejected him as king.

When I first read this story I thought Saul had good intentions, so why was his punishment so severe?

I since learned that good intentions are not the same as obedience and that is the basic lesson we can take from this story.

Samuel told Saul, obedience is more important to God than sacrifice, burnt offerings, and worship.

He even counted rebellion as severe as witchcraft and idolatry!

So this example shows us that God takes obedience very seriously and so should we.

We serve the same God as the past, present, and future, so we know He never changes.

And because He never changes, this means His expectation of obedience of His children still stands today.

What God is after is obedience and when we disobey even with good intentions, we see it can have life altering affects.

Are You Busy About Your Father’s Business or Just Plain Busy?

While I was studying on this topic, God has been speaking to me in this area of my life.

I’m learning that if the enemy knows he can’t make you “bad” then he will make you “busy”.

He will try and make you busy with activities, opportunities, and even ministries.

Mind you, all of them may be good acts of service so you have no reason to question your obedience.

However, what I’m learning is that there will always be a need.

And, that what’s most important is not that I meet every need I can, but that I’m obedient to what God has called me to do in each season of my life.

God is not after my service He’s after my heart.

And, He has my heart through the operation of my obedience.

The Sure Way to Know If You’re Following After God’s Lead

Maybe God has an assignment in this season for you to do.

It could be to write a book, apply to college, visit your sick parents, or start a non-profit organization.

But instead, your time is spent going to meetings and taking on tasks that you feel obligated to say yes to.

While it may be “good” and you may feel your being helpful.

I want you to ask yourself if your offerings of service are outweighing your actions of obedience.

As we see with Saul, when he didn’t do what God called him to do, he lost his position and God chose someone else to take his place.

Remember, God doesn’t need you to fulfill His will.

So be careful not to ignore and disobey His commands or you might lose out on the blessing and calling He originally intended for you.

Can You Really Be Over Serving in Ministry?

One night I was in the middle of writing a blog post I knew God had intended for me to write at that time.

But I left in the middle of writing to attend a meeting for a ministry I didn’t even feel called to; I just felt I should do.

I was left feeling convicted and realized I comprised my obedience to God by trying to please and obey man.

The Bible warns us in Galatians 1:10 about this:

“For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.”

Don’t let this happen to you.

Ask yourself, “Do I want to please man or God?”

Then look at your actions to see who or what your life is truly bowing down to.

The Blessings of Obedience

“Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given by his father David from the Lord” – 1 King 3:3

Many of God’s blessings to great leaders and rulers of old in the Bible began with an initial command of obedience.

Abraham, the father of Israel for example, wasn’t born this great leader and man of faith.

His obedience to God was the requirement and the precursor of his success and many blessings.

“Because Abraham obeyed Me, keeping all My commands, decrees and laws…” – Genesis 26:5

• The obedience of Abraham blessed the whole earth. (Genesis 22:18)
• The obedience of Joshua caused him to be successful everywhere he went and the led to the restoration of Israel. (Joshua 1:7)
• The obedience of King Solomon caused him to be the greatest, wisest, and richest king that ever lived. (1 Kings 10:23)
• The obedience of Jesus Christ saved the entire human race from hell by completing His Father’s will. (Luke 23:44-46)

As someone once said, “These were ordinary men who through obedience were able to accomplish extraordinary things”.

The Consequences of Disobedience

• The disobedience of Samson led him to losing his supernatural strength and ultimately his life. (Judges 16)
• The disobedience of Achan led Israel to be defeated in battle and him along with his entire family to be burned. (Joshua 7:24-26)
• The disobedience of Moses caused him be denied entrance into the promise land. (Numbers 20:12)
• The disobedience of Saul led him to be dethroned. (1 Samuel 15)
• The disobedience of King David caused his first-born son to die. (2 Samuel 12:15-23)

As you see over and over again obedience is required for blessings and disobedience brings shame and dishonor.

Let us seek to not only hear God’s Word but obey it.

For knowledge is not wisdom; applied knowledge is wisdom.

If you don’t know what God is requiring of you to do, diligently pray that He will direct your steps and give you understanding of His will.

“You don’t have because you don’t ask.” – James 4 2-3

Disobeying God doesn’t only affect you personally. It affects those around you as well. 

As such was the case with Achan who because of his actions, his whole family was killed.

This is a reminder not just for Israel but for all of God’s people.

“Now If you obey Me fully and keep My covenant, then out of all the nations you will be My treasured possession.” – Exodus 19:5

Disobedience simply brings trouble.

So choose today to be obedient to God so you can reap all of the good and wonderful blessings He has in store for your life.