The Human Frailty & Obedience
I often find it challenging to be obedient to God. It’s a constant internal battle. At times, I feel pulled in another direction. I am tempted by shortcuts. I seek easy ways out even when I know deep down it’s not the path God has for me. It feels like I’m directly opposing the will of my Creator, the one who knows me intimately. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. That encapsulates the tension between my desire to follow God and the reality of my human frailty.
Tug of War
Ever feel like you have an inner saboteur? The Bible calls this the “flesh”—that part within me that constantly trips me up. It’s not just about bad behavior; it’s about our weaknesses, distractions, and anything that pulls us away from God. Think of it as a tug-of-war between what we know is right and what feels good in the moment. This inner battle can make following Jesus feel like an uphill climb. But the good news is, we’re not alone! By leaning on the Holy Spirit, we can break free.
The Frustration
We’ve all been there, right? This inner battle is frustrating where I want to do what’s right, but somehow end up doing the exact opposite. This constant struggle can be incredibly discouraging. Sometimes I can manage this conflict partially through my inner strength, yet sheer willpower alone is insufficient for victory. I fail to meet God’s standards, that feeling of failure can hit hard. I start doubting myself, I frustrate, wondering if I am strong enough, committed enough, or even capable of truly following Jesus.
It’s in those moments of frustration and defeat that I realize I can’t do it alone. I need someone beyond myself. And that’s where the Holy Spirit comes in. His strength empowers me to overcome my failures and win those inner battles. He gives me the grace to keep going, even when I stumble.
Universal & Individual Struggle
This struggle isn’t unique to me or any of us. Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans 7:18-25 vividly describes this same internal conflict. Paul’s words resonate deeply because they express the universal human experience of this internal battle. We all have that inner struggle—that “flesh”—that pulls us towards selfish desires and bad choices. This passage gets real about the disconnect between wanting to do good and following through. It’s not about guilt-tripping us; it’s about validating our experience and encouraging us to find our way forward.
In the above section, I’ve shared about the struggle of obedience, and shared my personal experience. I hope my experience connects with you—if they do, please tell me! Through this we have built a basic understanding of our struggle to obedience. In the next post, we’ll expand more on the “Obstacles to obedience” .
What are the obstacles that sometimes hinder my willingness to obey God? I have listed a few that affect my genuine desires to follow God. Please know that this is not an exhaustive list.
Obstacles to Obedience
- Fear of Rejection:
- Afraid of Rejection
- Lack of Trust:
- We do not fully Trust God
- Lack of Understanding:
- We do not fully understand God’s instruction.
- Inner Tug:
- Tug between our own will & God’s will.
- Overwhelming Commands:
- Some commands seem impossible to obey.
- Inconvenient:
- Obedience is often very inconvenient.
- Pride:
- We find it hard to completely submit.
As we reflect on these common challenges, remember that you are not alone in this journey. Every believer, in every generation, has faced similar struggles. Let’s not pretend that these obstacles don’t exist. By recognizing the hurdles we face, we can better equip ourselves to overcome them. The key is to realistically and prayerfully confront them.
I am looking forward to our next conversation. Until then, I encourage you to ponder these truths and seek the Lord’s guidance in your own walk. May God bless you as you continue to grow in Him.
May your path be illuminated by the light of God’s truth.
