Obedience to God is a theme that runs throughout the Bible. Here are some key Bible verses about obedience from both the Old and New Testaments:
Old Testament Verses on Obedience
Deuteronomy 11:26-28 – “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse— the blessing if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.”
1 Samuel 15:22 – “But Samuel replied: ‘Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.'”
Jeremiah 7:23 – “But this is what I commanded them: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you.”
Deuteronomy 28:1-2 – “If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God:”
New Testament Verses on Obedience
John 14:15 – “If you love me, keep my commands.”
John 14:23 – “Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.'”
John 15:10 – “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”
Romans 6:16 – “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?”
1 John 5:3 – “In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,”
Obedience Leads to Blessing
A key theme throughout Scripture is that obedience to God leads to blessing and disobedience leads to curse. Deuteronomy 28 lays out in great detail the blessings God promises for obedience and the curses for disobedience. Obedience leads to blessings such as prosperity, victory over enemies, abundant crops, healthy livestock, and more. Disobedience brings curses like disease, drought, defeat, and exile.
This principle is seen over and over again in the history of Israel. When Israel obeyed God, they were victorious and blessed. When they disobeyed, they fell into hardship and were conquered by enemies. Obedience brought God’s favor, while disobedience removed His hand of blessing.
Even in the New Testament, Jesus promises blessings to those who obey Him. He says the Father will love them and make His home with them (John 14:23). Obedience leads to remaining in Christ’s love (John 15:10) and righteousness (Romans 6:16). It brings joy and connection with God.
Obedience Demonstrates Love for God
One of the key reasons the Bible emphasizes obedience is that it demonstrates our love for God. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commands.” Obeying God’s commands shows our love for Him in action.
1 John 5:3 echoes this principle: “This is love for God: to obey his commands.” Obeying God’s commands is an outward expression and evidence of an inward love for Him. It is putting our devotion into action.
Throughout Scripture, obedience is closely tied to loving God. Deuteronomy 10:12-13 says, “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?” Loving God involves obeying Him.
Obedience Leads to Knowledge of God
Obedience also leads to greater knowledge of God. When we obey what God has commanded, we draw closer to Him and come to know Him more intimately. As Jesus said in John 14:21, “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” Obeying God leads to a greater revelation of who He is.
In Jeremiah 22:16, the prophet says of King Josiah, “He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me, declares the LORD?” Josiah’s obedience to care for the marginalized demonstrated true knowledge of God.
Through obedience, we come to know God’s heart and character. It draws us closer to Him in intimacy and relationship when we obey His Word.
Jesus Modeled Perfect Obedience
A key aspect of Jesus’ time on earth was demonstrating perfect obedience to the Father. Jesus provides the ultimate model of obedience that we as followers are called to emulate.
Hebrews 5:8 says, “Son though he was, [Jesus] learned obedience from what he suffered.” As the Son of God, Jesus was perfect. Yet He still learned obedience through His suffering while on earth. He submitted fully to the will of the Father.
In John 6:38, Jesus said, “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” This sums up Jesus’ obedience. He completely submitted to the Father’s will, even to the point of death on the cross (Philippians 2:8).
Because of Jesus’ perfect obedience, He provides salvation to all who put their faith in Him (Hebrews 5:9). His obedience makes possible our redemption and eternal life.
Obedience Brings Spiritual Blessings
Obedience not only brings material and physical blessings, but also spiritual blessings. As we obey God, we grow in sanctification and become more like Christ. God pours out spiritual blessings on those who walk in obedience to Him.
Specifically, obedience leads to:
- A clear conscience: 1 Peter 3:16 says, “Keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” Obeying God with a clear conscience bears witness to others of your faith.
- The Holy Spirit’s power: In Acts 5:32, Peter says God has given the Holy Spirit “to those who obey him.” Obedience opens the door for the Spirit’s power in our lives.
- Wisdom: Psalm 111:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.” Obedience to God is the starting point for true wisdom.
- Deliverance: Those who listen to and obey God’s voice experience His deliverance. Psalm 106:3 says, “Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right.”
Obedience leads to spiritual protection, freedom, joy, and transformation into Christlikeness. It allows us to walk in the fullness of the spiritual blessings Christ provides.
We Are Called to a Life of Obedience
Ultimately, the Bible makes it clear that obedience should characterize the lives of believers. Through the power of the Spirit, we are enabled to obey God out of reverent fear and deep love for Him. While we can’t earn our salvation through obedience, our obedience is evidence of our salvation.
Every book of the Bible addresses the importance of obedience for the people of God. We obey because we are saved, not in order to be saved. Our obedience brings glory to God, benefits others, and leads to our own blessing and growth in grace.
Some key verses that demonstrate our call to a lifetime of obedience include:
- Ecclesiastes 12:13 – “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.”
- Micah 6:8 – “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
- John 14:21 – “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
- 1 John 2:3-4 – “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.”
May we walk in obedience all our days, loving and serving our great God who has redeemed us and called us to a life of joyful obedience!