Turning our own way speaks of rebellion. We are all guilty of rebellion. It’s a humbling realization that the mercy of God is when Jesus hung on the cross, and the Father visited Him with the iniquity or guilt or rebellion of us all and all the evil consequences so that we might be free from those evil consequences and receive the benefits of the righteousness of God.
On 22/10/24, the word that came to my mind was this: there is a hidden root of rebelliousness in the lives of my people. But I will expose it, bringing light to the areas of your lives where you may not have realized you were in rebellion.
What is Rebellion from a Biblical Perspective?
Word Study
Rebellion in the Bible refers to obstinacy, stubbornness, or a determined refusal to obey or fully comply with instructions given by God. It reflects a hardened heart, resistant to God’s will and commands. This attitude was often seen in the Israelites, whose continual refusal to follow the Lord’s precepts revealed their rebellious nature.
The origin of rebellion is rooted in Satan’s defiance against God, which began in heaven. Isaiah 14:12-14 describes how Satan, originally a glorious angel, exalted himself against God, leading to his expulsion from heaven. He then passed this spirit of rebellion to humanity in the Garden of Eden. Satan tempted Adam and Eve, shifting their focus to self-interest, persuading them to disobey God’s command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3). Their disobedience brought separation from God and expelled them from the garden, just as Satan had been expelled from heaven. By yielding to Satan’s temptation, Adam and Eve inherited a sinful nature—a nature passed on to all humanity (Rom 5:12), corrupting our ability to obey God fully.
This rebellion, now inherent in human nature, is further compounded by life’s experiences—wounds, bitterness, pride, rejection, and self-will. The Bible portrays rebellion as a grievous sin, because it actively opposes God’s authority, leading to spiritual separation from Him. It is so serious that it is compared to witchcraft and idolatry, which are considered wicked crimes against God’s sovereignty, underscoring the severity of this sin.
1 Samuel 15:23 (NIV) says:
“For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has rejected you as king.”
In this passage, the prophet Samuel rebukes King Saul for his partial obedience to God’s instructions, which God equates to rebellion. God equated Saul’s decision to selectively follow His command with witchcraft and idolatry—acts of defiance that stem from a rejection of God’s authority. By disregarding parts of what God instructed, Saul revealed a heart resistant to complete obedience, aligning his actions with practices that oppose God’s will. This comparison shows that even partial disobedience or selective obedience to God’s commands is seen as rebellion, as it reflects a rejection of God’s authority.
Even though Christ dealt with our rebellion on the cross we see the spirit in operation.
Rebellion in Daily Life
Rebellion manifests in various ways in our daily lives. It can be seen in:
1. Resisting God’s Conviction:
When you repeatedly ignore the prompting of the Holy Spirit, you are in rebellion. You may suppress this conviction so often that you eventually become comfortable doing what God has warned you against. At other times, God gives clear instructions, but instead of obeying them entirely, you adjust them to fit your preferences, making it easier or more convenient for yourself. Ignoring or resisting God’s call to change your heart, habits, or actions is an act of rebellion, as it places self-will above God’s direction.
For example, if you feel convicted to give up a sinful habit, reconcile with someone, or offer financial or material support but choose not to follow through, delay obedience, or only fulfil part of the instruction, that is still rebellion. (Hebrews 3:15). Rebellion isn’t always loud or obvious; it can quietly persist when we choose to hold onto bitterness or continue living in ways that contradict God’s truth, even after the Holy Spirit has convicted our hearts. Remember, partial obedience is rebellion, which refuses to honour God’s full will.
It’s not enough to know God’s Will—we must act on it or risk walking in rebellion against Him.
2. Disobedience to Commands or instructions:
In daily life, we refuse to do what we are required to do according to the word of God.
Example: When we choose to ignore or deliberately disobey what God commands in His Word. We may go through the motions of reading Scripture but fail to apply it to our lives. For example, we may feel justified in holding onto hostility, anger, hate, or a desire for revenge, knowingly disregarding God’s commands to love, forgive, and walk in humility.
Partial Obedience:
Like Saul, we might obey God’s instructions selectively—doing what suits us while ignoring the parts that challenge us. This is still rebellion because it reflects self-will over God’s will.
3. Undermining Spiritual Authority:
God places leaders, such as pastors, parents, or mentors, to guide us, yet when we reject their counsel or correction out of pride, self-interest, or offence, we are walking in rebellion (Hebrews 13:17). Remember what we call ‘cut-eye’ and ‘steups’? These are cultural signs of rebellion amongst our local community. Rebellion isn’t always loud or obvious; it can quietly persist when we choose to hold onto bitterness or continue living in ways that contradict God’s truth, even after the Holy Spirit has convicted our hearts. Prejudices can also play a role, causing rebellion against certain leaders you perceive as less important than others.
For example, rebellion occurs when we ignore godly counsel from the leadership God has placed over us, resist correction, or take offence when spiritual mentors challenge us. Instead, we seek advice from others outside of our spiritual covering while pretending to walk in unity with our leadership.
Rebellion is also evident when we deliberately go against godly wisdom in personal decision-making simply because we didn’t hear what we wanted to hear. This reveals a heart that prioritizes self over submission to God’s direction.
It’s not enough to know God’s Word—we must act on it or risk walking in rebellion against God.
4. Persisting in Sin:
Habitual sin, mainly when done knowingly, reflects a rebellious heart. Whether it’s sexual immorality, dishonesty, greed, harbouring unforgiveness, exploiting others for financial or material gain, bribery to secure favours, exploiting workers, dishonesty, dishonour, greed, envy, and jealousy—reveals a heart that resists the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. This rebellion stems from the refusal to surrender fully to God’s will after conviction and the deliberate choice to continue in sin, despite knowing the truth. (Romans 1:18-21).
For example, continuing to live in sexual immorality, consistently lying (even in the form of jokes), being deceptive, underhanded, sly, or engaging in gossip while knowing these actions violate God’s commands but refusing to genuinely repent or seek transformation demonstrates a heart unwilling to align with God’s Word. True repentance calls for a heart change that seeks to turn away from sin and toward God, but habitual sin keeps one bound in rebellion.
5. Living in Self-Reliance and Pride:
When you prioritize your own desires and self-will over God’s will, it is rebellion. This is evident when making decisions based on personal feelings, societal trends, or pride without seeking or submitting to God’s guidance. This is why Proverbs 3:5-6 TPT instructs us to Trust the Lord entirely and not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart, rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go.
Example: Making life decisions—career, relationships, business opportunities, financial investments—without prayer or considering God’s principles, acting out of self-reliance rather than trusting in God’s direction.
The Danger of Rebellion
Rebellion is dangerous because it sets us up to resist God, and it gives Satan common ground to operate in our lives. Satan, the original rebel, uses this shared characteristic of rebellion to distance us from God and lead us into further disobedience. Rebellion ultimately leads to separation from God, just as it led to Adam and Eve’s expulsion from the garden.
How to Overcome Rebellion
The pathway to wholeness and freedom is as follows:
The 8Rs Adapted from A More Excellent Way by Henry Wright
- Recognition. Recognising the spirit of rebellion in operation is key to overcoming it. Prov 20:9
- Take responsibility for what you recognise. Gal 6:5
- Repent to God for partnering with what you recognise, seeking forgiveness to realign your heart with God’s will. Acts 3:19
- Renounce it. Make what you recognise your enemy and renounce it. Ps 97:10
- Remove it. You get rid of it once and for all. Cast that spirit out because Christ died to free you from the sin of rebellion. Mark 16:17
- Resist it whenever it tries to come back; resist it with the word, by responding in obedience to God’s word. James 4:7; John 14:15
- Rejoice by giving thanks to God for setting you free. Phil 4:4
- Restore by helping someone else bound by that same spirit get free. Gal 6:1
Our Aim:
To recognise that we are a new creation in Christ Jesus, we must understand and embrace the new god-life in us called eternal life which is free from all rebellion. We therefore must put to death and uproot the hidden rebellion in our hearts. Romans 12:2 instructs us to be transformed by renewing our minds through the Word of God. We must continually consecrate our lives, surrender our will to God’s will, humbly obey His Word, and allow His grace to transform us. The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new is here!” This powerful verse reminds us that transformation through God’s grace is not just a surface-level change but a profound renewal of who we are at our very core. In Christ, we aren’t merely improved versions of our old selves; we are completely reborn, with old patterns, sins, and limitations replaced by a fresh, Spirit-led identity.
Putting it all together:
Rebellion is not just outward disobedience but a deep-rooted attitude of resisting God’s authority. It is a serious sin that dishonours God, as it opposes His rule and can lead to spiritual separation. Whether manifested in partial obedience, rejection of spiritual authority, or habitual sin, rebellion must be dealt with through repentance and submission to God’s will.
Prayer to Overcome Rebellion:
“Father, I confess that I have often resisted the authority of your word and that of those you have placed to watch over me. I chose to rebel and to go my own way. I repent and ask for Your forgiveness for every rebellious thought, attitude, and action. I pray for courage to be responsible for humbling myself, submitting to Your will, and obeying Your Word. Teach me to seek You above all else and trust Your ways, knowing that Your plans for me are good. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
