Disobeying God’s Commandments – Bending the Rules for Your Advantage

Good morning, church!

Now, I’ve got a question for you all. Have you ever had that moment where you KNOW what the rules are, but you figure, “Well, just this once, maybe I can bend them a little”? You know, kind of like when you’re driving, and you see that speed limit sign saying, “55 mph” and you think, “Eh, what’s the harm if I go 60... or 70?” Just a little wiggle room, right? Or when you’re supposed to be on a diet, but the pizza is right there, calling your name like a sweet, cheesy angel from heaven... so you “cheat” a little.

Here’s the thing: we all do this in different areas of our lives. We know the rules, but sometimes we make “exceptions” for our own convenience, comfort, or advantage. And let me tell you – we do the same thing when it comes to God’s commandments. We know what God has said, but we find little ways to bend the rules to fit our agenda, to get ahead, or to avoid discomfort.

And folks, that’s where the danger lies. When we bend the rules, we’re not just bending the rules – we’re breaking trust with God.

God’s Commandments Are Not Suggestions.

First, let’s talk about God’s commandments. They’re not suggestions, people. They’re not things God said like, “Hey, if you get around to it, do this, maybe.” God’s commandments are clear, and they are for our good.

In Exodus 20, God gives us the Ten Commandments. And let me tell you, these aren’t some wishy-washy ideas. These are straight-up instructions on how to live. “Don’t lie.” “Don’t steal.” “Honor your father and mother.” Sounds pretty straightforward, right?

But here’s where the problem comes in: We KNOW what God says, but we sometimes justify breaking the commandments because we think it will benefit us in the short term. Maybe it’s easier to lie your way out of a sticky situation at work than to tell the truth. Maybe it’s easier to gossip about someone than to show love and compassion. Maybe it’s easier to steal a little bit – maybe you think, “Well, the company is big enough, they won’t miss it.” And we think, “God will understand, right?”

But the truth is – God doesn’t make exceptions for our “bends.” If we choose to disobey His commandments, we face consequences.

The Consequences of Disobedience.

Disobeying God’s commandments might seem like a little thing at the time, but it’s never just a little thing. It has consequences – not just for us, but for the people around us. And sometimes, those consequences last a lot longer than we expect.

King Saul is a perfect example. Saul was anointed king of Israel by God, but he chose to disobey God’s command when he was instructed to completely destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions (1 Samuel 15). He thought, “Hey, I’ll keep the best sheep and cattle as spoils of war, and I’ll offer them as sacrifices to God. That’s a good idea, right?” He justified his actions by thinking he was doing something “good” for God, but in the end, it cost him his kingdom.

In 1 Samuel 15:22-23, Samuel says to Saul:

“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. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.”

Saul’s disobedience wasn’t just a small mistake. It was a serious rebellion against God’s clear command. And guess what? He lost his kingdom because of it.

Now, I know we may not be kings or queens with entire kingdoms to lose, but our disobedience has consequences. When we choose to bend God’s rules for our own advantage, we are compromising our relationship with Him and setting ourselves up for consequences in life. And let’s be honest – some of those consequences hurt.

Loyalty to God.

The bottom line is, God wants our loyalty. He wants us to follow His commandments not because He’s a cosmic dictator, but because He knows what’s best for us. He knows that when we follow His commands, our lives work better. There’s less pain, less regret, and more of His blessing.

Imagine you’re in a relationship, and your partner says, “I love you and trust you, but I need you to respect me and be faithful to me.” Then, you turn around and decide, “You know what? I think I’ll go ahead and ignore that rule because this one thing will benefit me right now.” How do you think that relationship is going to work out?

It’s the same with God. When we say we love Him, we show it by keeping His commandments. When we choose to disobey Him, we’re saying, “I trust myself more than I trust God.” John 14:15 says, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” Simple, right? Love leads to obedience.

Loyalty in Action.

Now, let’s talk about what loyalty really looks like in our day-to-day lives. It’s more than just saying “I love you, God.” It’s about living it out. It’s about doing the hard things, like telling the truth even when it’s uncomfortable, loving people who don’t love you back, and putting God’s desires ahead of your own selfish ones.

And let’s be honest – it’s not always easy. We live in a world where it’s so easy to justify our actions. But in the long run, the blessings that come from obedience far outweigh the short-term benefits of disobedience.

The Seriousness of Bending the Rules.

Here’s the thing: when we bend the rules, we’re not just bending the rules – we’re bending our relationship with God. Disobedience isn’t a small thing. It’s a break in trust. And that break leads to a separation that can be hard to repair.

When we allow ourselves to constantly disobey God’s Word for our own advantage, we’re opening doors to consequences we might not even see coming. We think we’re “getting away with it,” but in reality, we’re sowing seeds that will come back to haunt us later.

Romans 6:16 says:

“Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey?”

Are you going to obey God and experience the peace and blessings that come with obedience? Or are you going to obey the world, and end up as a slave to your own desires?

Conclusion

Let’s wrap this up. God’s commandments are for our good. They’re not there to ruin our fun or cramp our style – they are a loving guide that leads us to a better, more fulfilling life. We need to stop justifying our disobedience for our own worldly gain. God is not fooled. If you bend the rules to get ahead or avoid discomfort, you’re not just hurting yourself – you’re distancing yourself from God’s best for you.

So let’s be loyal, let’s be obedient, and let’s trust that God knows what He’s doing when He tells us how to live. And remember: obedience is always better than sacrifice.

Amen!