Many problems could be solved just by simple obedience. People often struggle with knowing God’s will. God has told us His will. He has given us practical guidance to help us live satisfying lives. He has shown us how to relate to the people around us. Knowing God’s will isn’t the hard part. Obeying it is. As Mark Twain quipped, “It ain’t the parts of the Bible that I can’t understand that bother me, it’s the parts that I do understand.”
God’s Spirit gives us the will to want to obey, but He doesn’t force us. The actual obedience requires some effort on our part.
Simple obedience to the guidance given to us in the Bible would help in all of our relationships. Here is a sampling (from Ephesians 4 and Romans 12):
Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
Stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth.
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God through Christ has forgiven you.
When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Live in harmony with each other.
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do all you can to live in peace with everyone.
Never take revenge. Leave that to God.
Relational problems arise out of pride and selfishness. Obedience to God requires setting those things aside. When we do, relationships improve.
God made it so simple for us, really. Not easy, but simple. He has given us the Bible so we could know Him. He reveals His heart. He shows us how to draw near to Him and yet retain the proper reverence for His sovereignty and power. The Bible gives guidance and instruction applicable to every area of our lives.
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Jesus summed up for us the essence of the Bible and all its commandments. He said, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind, and, Love your neighbor as yourself. Wholehearted, unselfish, genuine love is what will make our lives work well and give us joy in the process.
Jesus proved His love on the cross. He died and rose again so we could be with Him. Our salvation is based on our acceptance of what He did, not on how well we keep His commandments. However, we show our love for God by doing what He says.
God’s commandments are always for our good. Love for God will cause us to study the Bible in order to know Him and to know what pleases Him. Love for others will make our relationships work. Love is more than an emotion. It is a choice we make whether or not the feeling is there. It keeps all our other emotions in check. Love will dissipate anger, jealousy, envy, bitterness and all the other destructive feelings. Love enables us to forgive. Forgiveness is like a medicine we take to keep our own heart from growing cold and hard.
We may not understand all of the Bible, but simple obedience to what we do understand will go a long way toward giving us peaceful lives.
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. Micah 6:8 NIV
How has the Bible increased your love for God and helped you understand His will? Please leave a comment below.
Blessings,
Phyllis
© 2025 Phyllis L. Farringer
Image by Scottish Guy from Pixabay
Definitely simple, but not easy. I’m grateful God has given me the desire to do His will, and that He helps me all the way. I appreciate your thoughts, Phyllis!
Thank you, Joni. We definitely can’t do it without His help.