Dangerous Decisions Under Our Dominion

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Disobedience

Have you ever been in a situation where you knew exactly what God was asking of you, but for some reason, you hesitated? Whether it’s outright disobedience, denial driven by fear or pride, or simply dragging our feet, these choices carry more weight than we often realize.

Take Moses, for example. God told him to speak to the rock to provide water for the Israelites. But in a moment of frustration, Moses struck the rock instead (Numbers 20:11-12). Water still flowed, but Moses’ disobedience cost him dearly as he was denied entry into the Promised Land. Yes, God’s grace STILL poured out for the people, but Moses still had to face the consequences. Like Moses, we sometimes make choices that seem minor, especially when the outcome appears favorable. But those ripple effects are often greater than we anticipate. God's grace isn’t a free pass to dismiss obedience. As the Bible reminds us, "To whom much is given, much will be required" (Luke 12:48). We know that Moses was later restored (Matthew 17:3), which shows that God’s grace extends beyond earthly consequences. Still, the truth remains: if it is in God’s will, He will accomplish it, but His grace is not a free pass to dismiss obedience.

Denial

Denial is another challenge we face. Peter, a key figure in the early church, denied knowing Jesus three times during one of the most critical moments (Luke 22:60-62). Yet, his story didn’t end there. After Jesus’ resurrection, He asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” (John 21:15-17), offering Peter a chance for redemption. This wasn’t just a reaffirmation of Peter’s love but a symbolic counter to his previous three denials. Jesus provided Peter with a path to healing and reconciliation. We can see that God deals with everyone in a deeply personal way. God's grace offered him healing, but it didn’t cancel out the pain of his betrayal.

Disregard

I think about my own journey, when I was deceived by astrology and giving readings to friends for free. I had unknowingly disregarded God's truth. A dangerous decision I didn't fully understand until me eyes were opened. Back then I thought I'd found the best thing since sliced bread! I saw people come into a greater confidence within themselves so I thought it was good. I didn't know that for some of them, I was responsible for opening up a door that led them deeper into deception.

After seeking God fully, I felt a heavy grief come over me. I realized how wrong I had been, and as a new believer, I experienced deep regret. I can’t even begin to imagine how it felt for Peter, someone who knew Jesus personally, both in flesh and spirit, and still denied Him. That's SOoo heartbreaking! My reconciliation with God required me to publicly denounce my past practices and apologize to those I had unintentionally misled. Since then, I’ve been vocal about moving away from these spiritual trends. They may seem shiny and appealing, but they are deeply deceptive. I probably sound like a broken record to some (and throughout my blog), but I feel called to keep speaking against it. My convictions are specific, as everyone’s are. Since my moment with Jesus in the quiet of my room, I’ve committed to walking only under His guidance.

The sting of realizing we've chosen our way over God’s can sit heavy on our hearts.

Delay

Let's simplify some of this. Sometimes we overcomplicate these biblical themes, viewing them only through the lens of ancient times. But in our privileged lives, we delay what our conscience cries out about daily! Whether it’s starting a workout, changing our diet, or working on a project that’s been heavily weighing on us. These aren’t just personal goals; they’re nudges that (when pursued) strengthen us, our relationship with God, and those around us. This, too, is what obedience looks like. When we don’t follow through, we deny, disobey, and delay. Each time we give in to our flesh, we weaken our spirit. But when we do follow through, we come into agreement with God’s will, deepen our trust in Him, and support and uplift others in the process. Delay, a blend of denial and disobedience, can kill progress, purpose, and even the very opportunities God places before us.

While writing this, I can't help but think about the grace God has freely provided, the blessings, the manna, the water that satisfies my thirst. I never want to fall into the false thinking that I'm receiving these blessings because I’m doing everything right in the eyes of the Lord. That's a recipe for self-righteousness.  Grace is a gift, not a reward. It’s not about us; it’s about who God is. And because of who He is, and His goodness, it is in our best interest to partner with His LOVE — without denying or delaying our obedience—simply because He is worthy.

Disobedience, denial, disregard and delay are dangerous decisions within OUR control.  God's grace calls us to break free, trust Him, and step fully into His plan.

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"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths." — Proverbs 3:5-6

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Self-Reflection Prompts

1. ^{How do you typically respond when you sense God is calling you to do something difficult or uncomfortable?}
2. ^{How do you typically process moments of regret or missed opportunities? What helps you to move forward after realizing you’ve delayed or disregarded something?}
3. ^{How do you personally distinguish between hesitation and discernment in your decision-making?}
4. ^{How do you view God’s grace? Is it a safety net for failure or a call to live in alignment with His ways?}