Don't Turn Your Back On God

Don't Turn Your Back on God

You don't have to deny God to turn your back on Him. Sometimes, turning your back on God simply means knowing what He has told you to do and choosing not to do it.

Scripture

“I’m sorry I ever made Saul king. He’s turned his back on me. He refuses to do what I tell him to do.” Samuel was angry when he heard this. He prayed his anger and disappointment all through the night.(1 Samuel 15:11)

Explanation
Saul did not wake up one morning and announce that he no longer believed in God. In fact, he still looked like a man who served God. But God said, “He has turned his back on me.”

Why?

God had given Saul a clear instruction to completely destroy the Amalekites. But Saul and his men made an exception. They spared Agag and kept the best sheep and cattle.

Saul wanted to obey God—but on his own terms.

And this is where many people find themselves today. They profess to know God, but they have turned their backs on Him by refusing to do what He has told them to do.

God's Word is His revealed instruction to us. When we know what God says and deliberately refuse to act on it, we are not merely being disobedient—we are turning our backs on Him.

James puts it plainly:

“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.”(James 4:17 NLT)

Many people are asking God for a new revelation when they have not yet obeyed the revelation they already have.

Jesus said:

“If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you.” (John 14:15 MSB)

Obedience is one of the clearest expressions of our love for God.

Application
Don't keep asking God, “What is Your will for my life?” when there is something He has already told you to do that you are refusing to obey.

Maybe God has told you to forgive, but you are still holding on to the offence.

Maybe He has told you to apologise, but pride is stopping you.

Maybe He has told you to stop a particular habit, relationship or compromise, but you keep making excuses.

Maybe He has told you to give, serve, reconcile, speak up, remain silent, or take a step of faith—and you keep postponing it.

The issue may not be that you need more revelation. You may simply need to obey the revelation you already have.

Saul's problem was not that God failed to speak. God spoke clearly. His problem was that he decided which part of God's instruction he would obey and which part he would ignore.

Partial obedience is still disobedience.

Don't turn your back on God by repeatedly saying no to what He has clearly told you to do.

Reflection
Is there something God has already told you to do that you are deliberately avoiding?

Before you ask God for another word, obey the word you already have.

Prayer
Lord, give me a heart that is willing to obey You completely. Help me not to substitute partial obedience for wholehearted obedience. Where I have ignored Your instruction, give me the grace to repent and obey. May my life demonstrate that I truly love You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Discussion Question
Is there anything God has already told you to do that you are currently delaying or refusing to do? What is stopping you?

Have a fruitful day.

(Dr.) Emmanuel Okoro
(aka Dr. Lift)

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