Recently, my daughter asked for snacks right after a heavy meal. I said no, for obvious reasons. A few minutes later, she was all over me, disturbing me non-stop. I told her to go to bed. Her reply hit me hard because it sounds just like many believers today: “Until you give me what I want, I won’t go to sleep.” I corrected her gently: “That’s negotiated obedience.”
Friend, beware of negotiated obedience. Stop relating with God like a business deal. Our walk with God should be built on surrender, not on trade-offs. We lose everything to gain everything (Philippians 3:7-12). We obey even when it’s not convenient (Job 13:15).
God can give you what you’re asking for and still leave you on a path of destruction (Psalm 106:15). Don’t grab what will destroy you. God loves you too much to watch you self-destruct. When I refused my daughter those snacks, it wasn’t hate. It was love (Hebrews 12:5-8).
You either lose to win or win to lose (Matthew 16:24-25). Most people choose the second one. We’ve been taught to manipulate God. We’ve been taught that prayer forces His hand. But truth is, you can’t pray God into doing what isn’t His will for you. Real prayer doesn’t begin until God’s will is known (Matthew 6:9-10).
Let’s shift our Christianity from transactional to relational. We love God for who He is, not just for what He gives. Obedience always ends well, even when it looks foolish at the start (Genesis 22:1-19). Christianity without obedience is just another empty religion (Job 36:11).
The highest form of worship is a life of obedience (Romans 12:1-2). Obedience simply means trusting God enough to follow where He leads. Disobedience quietly says, “I doubt God’s love and wisdom.” A life of obedience is a life convinced that God is wiser than us (1 Corinthians 1:25). He knows tomorrow better than we know yesterday. Amen!
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria