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Obstacles to Obedience in Following God's Word

Scripture commands obedience to God's voice, law, and commandments as a defining mark of faithfulness [1]. Yet the biblical record and Christian tradition consistently identify multiple barriers that prevent believers from following God's word. These obstacles arise from both internal dispositions and external pressures, and understanding them requires attention to what Scripture itself names as impediments.

Unbelief as the Foundational Barrier

Hebrews 11:6 establishes that without faith, obedience to God is impossible [1]. This is not merely intellectual assent but active trust that God's commands are good and his promises reliable. The wilderness generation provides the paradigmatic example: they refused to keep God's covenant and declined to walk in his law [6], not because the commands were unclear but because they did not believe God would fulfill what he had promised. Unbelief manifests as self-will and stubbornness, which proceed directly from a failure to trust God's character [5]. When the heart doubts God's goodness or power, the will resists his direction.

Pride and Self-Sufficiency

Pride operates as a persistent obstacle by elevating human judgment above divine instruction. The biblical pattern shows stubbornness arising from pride, as individuals refuse to walk in God's ways or receive correction [5]. Calvin observed this dynamic in his commentary on Isaiah, noting that many who would not openly reject godly doctrine are nevertheless "so far from being truly obedient and teachable, that they haughtily reject everything that does not please them" [12]. They acknowledge a need for guidance in principle but rebel when God's actual direction conflicts with their preferences. This presumption blinds them to their need, causing them to "break out" in resistance when confronted with God's word [12].

Worldly Anxiety and Distraction

Jesus identified overmuch care about earthly things as an obstruction to the gospel [7]. The parable of the sower makes explicit that worldly cares choke the word, rendering it unfruitful [7]. This is not merely about material wealth but about the orientation of attention and energy. When anxiety about provision, status, or security dominates the mind, obedience becomes functionally impossible because the heart is already occupied. The New Testament warns against such care precisely because it displaces trust in God's providence [7]. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown note that a believer's primary concern should be "the footing on which he stands towards God rather than that towards men" [15], suggesting that social and economic pressures can subtly redirect loyalty away from divine commands.

Procrastination and Delayed Response

The Scriptures condemn delay in hearkening to God, keeping his commandments, and performing vows [9]. Procrastination is not neutral hesitation but active avoidance. Psalm 119:60 contrasts the saint's immediate response—"I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments"—with the pattern of those who defer obedience [9]. The danger lies in treating the present moment as negotiable when Scripture insists it is "the accepted time" [9]. The uncertainty of life makes delay particularly perilous, as illustrated by warnings to respond before opportunity passes [9]. This obstacle often disguises itself as prudence or waiting for better circumstances, but it functions as disobedience.

External Persecution and Fear of Man

Princes and authorities have historically persecuted those who obey God's word, creating a powerful disincentive to faithfulness [4, 14]. Matthew Henry notes that when princes are the persecutors, "they have not only the sword in their hand, and therefore can do the more hurt, but they have the law on their side, and can do it with reputation and a colour of justice" [14]. Paul's imprisonment exemplifies this: he suffered as an evildoer, bound in chains, yet insisted "the word of God is not bound" [2, 3]. The fear of such consequences—loss of reputation, livelihood, or life—can silence obedience. David acknowledged being discouraged in duty by the fear of man, even as he resolved to fear God's word above princely persecution [14].

Refusal to Hear God's Word

A particularly severe obstacle is the deliberate turning away from Scripture itself. Proverbs 28:9 warns that if one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer becomes an abomination [10]. Matthew Henry explains this reciprocal relationship: "God speaks to us by his law, and expects we should hear him and heed him; we speak to him by prayer, to which we wait for an answer of peace" [10]. When the word is not regarded, prayers are not only rejected but offensive to God [10]. Ezekiel 14 illustrates this with elders who came to inquire of the prophet while harboring idols in their hearts, meeting rebuke instead of acceptance because they were not "duly qualified" [11]. The obstacle here is not ignorance but willful inattention.

The Absence of Divine Guidance in Human Counsel

Calvin emphasizes that deliberations undertaken without consulting God's word inevitably end in ruin [17]. one tradition writes, "There is no wisdom that is not obtained from 'his mouth;' and if we 'ask at his mouth,' that is, if we consult his word, we shall also be guided by his Spirit, from whom all prudence and wisdom proceeds" [17]. The obstacle is not merely individual stubbornness but the corporate failure to seek God's direction. When communities or leaders resolve not to obey God's word, they simultaneously forfeit his Spirit's guidance, resulting in "miserable and shameful" outcomes [17]. This creates a self-reinforcing cycle: disobedience leads to spiritual blindness, which perpetuates further disobedience.

The Cost of Discipleship

Following Jesus involves more than intellectual mastery; it requires willingness to forgo normal comforts [16]. When Jesus told a would-be disciple that "the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head," he was identifying the material and social cost as a genuine barrier [16]. The Tyndale commentary notes that discipleship "is not easy" precisely because it demands sacrifices that many are unwilling to make [16]. This is not an external persecution but an internal calculation: the perceived cost of obedience outweighs the perceived benefit, and the would-be follower turns back.

Communal Responsibility and Mutual Accountability

Obedience is not solely a personal matter. Hebrews 4:11 urges believers to "do our best to enter" God's rest, with the warning that failure to respond with active obedience will result in falling [13]. The Tyndale commentary emphasizes that "God's people have a communal responsibility for obedience and should support each other in that endeavor" [13]. The obstacle, then, includes isolation from a community that encourages faithfulness. Without mutual exhortation and accountability, individual resolve weakens under pressure.

The biblical diagnosis of obstacles to obedience is both comprehensive and sobering. Disobedience provokes God's anger, forfeits his favor and promised blessings, and brings a curse [8]. Yet Scripture also acknowledges that these barriers are pervasive, requiring not only individual vigilance but communal support and, fundamentally, the Spirit's enabling work to overcome what human effort alone cannot.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Obedience to God — Commanded -- De 13:4. Without faith, is impossible -- Heb 11:6. Includes Obeying his voice. -- Ex 19:5; Jer 7:23. Obeying his law. -- De 11:27; Isa 42:24. Obeying Christ. -- Ex 23:21; 2Co 10:5. Obeying the gospel. -- Ro 1:5; 6:17; 10:16,17. Keeping his commandments. -- Ec 12:13. Submission to higher powers. -- Ro 13:1. Better than sacrifice -- 1Sa 15:22. Justification obtained by that of Christ -- Ro 5:19. Christ, an example of -- Mt 3:15; Joh 15:20; Php 2:5-8; Heb 5:8. Angles engaged in -- Ps 103:20. A characteristic of saints -- 1Pe 1:14. Saints ”
  2. King James Version “[KJV] 2 Timothy 2:9 — Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.”
  3. II Timothy “II Timothy 2:9 (KJV) — Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Persecution — Christ suffered -- Ps 69:26; Joh 5:16. Christ voluntarily submitted to -- Isa 50:6. Christ was patient under -- Isa 53:7. Saints may expect -- Mr 10:30; Lu 21:12; Joh 15:20. Saints suffer, for the sake of God -- Jer 15:15. Of saints, is a persecution of Christ -- Zec 2:8; Ac 9:4,5. All that live godly in Christ, shall suffer -- 2Ti 3:12. Originates Ignorance of God and Christ. -- Joh 16:3. Hated to God and Christ. -- Joh 15:20,24. Hatred to the gospel. -- Mt 13:21. Pride. -- Ps 10:2. Mistaken zeal. -- Ac 13:50; 26:9-11. Is inconsistent with the spirit o”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Will and Stubbornness — Forbidden -- 2Ch 30:8; Ps 75:5; 95:8. Proceed from Unbelief. -- 2Ki 17:14. Pride. -- Ne 9:16,29. An evil heart. -- Jer 7:24. God knows -- Isa 48:4. Exhibited in Refusing to hearken to God. -- Pr 1:24. Refusing to hearken to the messengers of God. -- 1Sa 8:19; Jer 44:16; Zec 7:11. Refusing to walk in the ways of God. -- Ne 9:17; Ps 78:10; Isa 42:24; Jer 6:16. Refusing to hearken to parents. -- De 21:18,19. Refusing to receive correction. -- De 21:18; Jer 5:3; 7:28. Rebelling against God. -- De 31:27; Ps 78:8. Resisting the Holy Spirit. -- ”
  6. Psalms “Psalms 78:10 (YLT) — They have not kept the covenant of God, And in His law they have refused to walk,”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Care, Overmuch — About earthly things, forbidden -- Mt 6:25; Lu 12:22,29; Joh 6:27. God's providential goodness should keep us from -- Mt 6:26,28,30; Lu 22:35. God's promises should keep us from -- Heb 13:5. Trust in God should free us from -- Jer 17:7,8; Da 3:16. Should be cast on God -- Ps 37:5; 55:22; Pr 16:3; 1Pe 5:7. An obstruction to the Gospel -- Mt 13:22; Lu 8:14; 14:18-20. Be without -- 1Co 7:32; Php 4:6. Unbecoming in saints -- 2Ti 2:4. Uselessness of -- Mt 6:27; Lu 12:25,26. Vanity of -- Ps 39:6; Ec 4:8. Warning against -- Lu 21:34. Sent as a punishment to”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Disobedience to God — Provokes his anger -- Ps 78:10,40; Isa 3:8. Forfeits his favour -- 1Sa 13:14. Forfeits his promised blessings -- Jos 5:6; 1Sa 2:30; Jer 18:10. Brings a curse -- De 11:28; 28:15. A characteristic of the wicked -- Eph 2:2; Tit 1:16; 3:3. The wicked persevere in -- Jer 2:21. Heinousness of, illustrated -- Jer 35:14. Men prone to excuse -- Ge 3:12,13. Shall be punished -- Isa 42:24,25; Heb 2:2. Acknowledge the punishment of, to be just -- Ne 9:32,33; Da 9:10,11,14. Warnings against -- 1Sa 12:15; Jer 12:17. Bitter results of, illustrated -- Jer 9:13,”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Procrastination — Condemned by Christ -- Lu 9:59-62. Saints avoid -- Ps 27:8; 119:60. To be avoided in Hearkening to God. -- Ps 95:7,8; Heb 3:7,8. Seeking God. -- Isa 55:6. Glorifying God. -- Jer 13:16. Keeping God's commandments. -- Ps 119:60. Making offerings to God. -- Ex 22:29. Performance of vows. -- De 23:21; Ec 5:4. Motives for avoiding The present the accepted time. -- 2Co 6:2. The present the best time. -- Ec 12:1. The uncertainty of life. -- Pr 27:1. Danger of illustrated -- Mt 5:25; Lu 13:25. Exemplified Lot. -- Ge 19:16. Felix. -- Ac 24:25.”
  10. Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 28:9: Note, 1. It is by the word and prayer that our communion with God is kept up. God speaks to us by his law, and expects we should hear him and heed him; we speak to him by prayer, to which we wait for an answer of peace. How reverent and serious should we be, whenever we are hearing from and speaking to the Lord of glory! 2. If God's word be not regarded by us, our prayers shall not only not be accepted of God, but they shall be an abomination to him, not only our sacrifices, which were ceremonial appointments, but even our prayers, which are moral duties, and wh”
  11. Ezekiel (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ezekiel 14 (introduction): Hearing the word, and prayer, are two great ordinances of God, in which we are to give honour to him and may hope to find favour and acceptance with him; and yet in this chapter, to our great surprise, we find some waiting upon God in the one and some in the other and yet not meeting with success as they expected. I. The elders of Israel come to hear the word, and enquire of the prophet, but, because they are not duly qualified, they meet with a rebuke instead of acceptance (Eze 14:1-5) and are called upon to repent of their sins and reform their liv”
  12. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 11.30: speaking, and to listen to his holy warnings. This fault has been too common in all ages, and we see it in very many persons at the present day, who, though they would shrink from openly rejecting the doctrine of godliness, are yet so far from being truly obedient and teachable, that they haughtily reject everything that does not please them. They acknowledge that they need some bridle, but, on the other hand, are so much blinded by their presumption, that, when God points out the way, they immediately rebel; and not only so, but break out i”
  13. Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 4:11: 4:11 let us do our best to enter: Failure to respond to the Good News with active obedience to God’s voice (4:1-2) will have an outcome analogous to the outcome for the wilderness wanderers: we will fall. • us . . . we . . . we: Obedience is not simply a personal matter; God’s people have a communal responsibility for obedience and should support each other in that endeavor (cp. 3:13; 10:25; 12:15).”
  14. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:161: David here lets us know, 1. How he was discouraged in his duty by the fear of man: Princes persecuted him. They looked upon him as a traitor and an enemy to the government, and under that notion sought his life, and bade him go serve other gods, Sa1 26:19. It has been the common lot of the best men to be persecuted; and the case is the worse if princes be the persecutors, for they have not only the sword in their hand, and therefore can do the more hurt, but they have the law on their side, and can do it with reputation and a colour of justice. It is sad that t”
  15. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 7:24: abide with God--being chiefly careful of the footing on which he stands towards God rather than that towards men. This clause, "with God," limits the similar precept in Co1 7:20. A man may cease to "abide in the calling wherein he was called," and yet not violate the precept here. If a man's calling be not favorable to his "abiding with God" (retaining holy fellowship with Him), he may use lawful means to change from it (compare Note, see on Co1 7:21).”
  16. Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 8:20: 8:20 Following Jesus is not easy; it involves more than intellectual mastery. Following Jesus entails being willing to forgo life’s normal comforts.”
  17. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 2, section 18.11: their unbelief and rebellion; and because they have resolved not to obey the word of God, neither do they ask his Spirit. Hence arises that miserable and shameful result. Wretchedly and ruinously must those deliberations and purposes end, over which the Lord does not preside. There is no wisdom that is not obtained from “his mouth;” and if we “ask at his mouth,” that is, if we consult his word, we shall also be guided by his Spirit, from whom all prudence and wisdom proceeds. Let it be observed that two things are here connected, the word an”
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