“But my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward.” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT)

 

My dog used to practice selective listening. When he didn’t like what I was saying, he acted as though he didn’t understand me. If he was in my room at bedtime and I told him to leave, he would look at me as if to say, “What?” It was as though his hearing was gone. On the other hand, he could have been asleep behind closed doors, and if I went downstairs, opened the cupboard, and pulled out his leash, he suddenly had supersonic hearing. He was right there at my side. When he liked what I wanted him to do, he heard and obeyed me. But when he didn’t like what I wanted him to do, he didn’t hear or obey.

Sometimes we do the same thing with God. When He tells us to do something we like, we say, “Yes, Lord!” But when He tells us to stop doing something we like, we say, “God, I think You’re cutting out on me. There’s too much static. I’m not hearing You clearly.”

Jesus said, “You are my friends if you do what I command” (John 15:14 NLT). He didn’t say, “You are My friends if you do the things that you personally agree with.” God has told us in His Word how we’re to live. It’s not for us to pick and choose sections of the Bible that we like and toss the rest aside.

When the urge to practice selective listening hits us, we need to remind ourselves of who’s doing the instructing. After all, God knows everything. He knows what’s ultimately good for us and what’s ultimately destructive to us. He loves us beyond comprehension and wants only what’s best for us. So, obeying Him is never a bad idea. In fact, it’s the best idea in any situation.

Obedience brings us closer to God. It strengthens our relationship with Him. It brings us a sense of joy and purpose. And it makes us a valuable resource to others who may be struggling spiritually.

The Bible makes it clear that God blesses us when we obey Him. Psalm 128:1 says, “How joyful are those who fear the Lord—all who follow his ways” (nlt). And in Jeremiah 7:23, God Himself says, “Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!” (NLT).

The takeaway is that if God tells you to do something, He says it for good reason, and you need to obey Him. If God says not to do something, He also says it for good reason. Even if you don’t understand it, obey Him. You will always be glad that you did.

 

Reflection question: What would complete obedience to God look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

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The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

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&ldquo;But my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward.&rdquo; (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT)
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My dog used to practice selective listening. When he didn&rsquo;t like what I was saying, he acted as though he didn&rsquo;t understand me. If he was in my room at bedtime and I told him to leave, he would look at me as if to say, &ldquo;What?&rdquo; It was as though his hearing was gone. On the other hand, he could have been asleep behind closed doors, and if I went downstairs, opened the cupboard, and pulled out his leash, he suddenly had supersonic hearing. He was right there at my side. When he liked what I wanted him to do, he heard and obeyed me. But when he didn&rsquo;t like what I wanted him to do, he didn&rsquo;t hear or obey.
Sometimes we do the same thing with God. When He tells us to do something we like, we say, &ldquo;Yes, Lord!&rdquo; But when He tells us to stop doing something we like, we say, &ldquo;God, I think You&rsquo;re cutting out on me. There&rsquo;s too much static. I&rsquo;m not hearing You clearly.&rdquo;
Jesus said, &ldquo;You are my friends if you do what I command&rdquo; (John 15:14 NLT). He didn&rsquo;t say, &ldquo;You are My friends if you do the things that you personally agree with.&rdquo; God has told us in His Word how we&rsquo;re to live. It&rsquo;s not for us to pick and choose sections of the Bible that we like and toss the rest aside.
When the urge to practice selective listening hits us, we need to remind ourselves of who&rsquo;s doing the instructing. After all, God knows everything. He knows what&rsquo;s ultimately good for us and what&rsquo;s ultimately destructive to us. He loves us beyond comprehension and wants only what&rsquo;s best for us. So, obeying Him is never a bad idea. In fact, it&rsquo;s the best idea in any situation.
Obedience brings us closer to God. It strengthens our relationship with Him. It brings us a sense of joy and purpose. And it makes us a valuable resource to others who may be struggling spiritually.
The Bible makes it clear that God blesses us when we obey Him. Psalm 128:1 says, &ldquo;How joyful are those who fear the Lord&mdash;all who follow his ways&rdquo; (nlt). And in Jeremiah 7:23, God Himself says, &ldquo;Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!&rdquo; (NLT).
The takeaway is that if God tells you to do something, He says it for good reason, and you need to obey Him. If God says not to do something, He also says it for good reason. Even if you don&rsquo;t understand it, obey Him. You will always be glad that you did.
&nbsp;
Reflection question: What would complete obedience to God look like in your life?&nbsp;<a href="https://disciple.harvest.org/spaces/17592429/feed?utm_source=DD&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=HarvestDiscipleship">Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!</a>
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The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
<a href="https://go.pddr.app/glpodcast">Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast</a>
<a href="https://harvest.org/harvest-partner/?utm_source=DD&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=HarvestPartners">Become a Harvest Partner</a>

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God’s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from Pastor Greg Laurie, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you. 

*The audio production of this podcast utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God&rsquo;s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from&nbsp;<a href="https://harvest.org/about-greg-laurie/">Pastor Greg Laurie</a>, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you.&nbsp;
*The audio production of this podcast utilizes Generative AI technology.&nbsp;This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

Greg Laurie provides commentary on the day's Bible verse.

Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions

God has a good reason for telling you to do—or not do—something; your best option is to obey Him.

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