Rebellion. Perhaps that conjures up images of a teenager warring with their parents or a someone committing crime. Yet, rebellion resides much closer than we think—for it is in our very hearts.

You may be thinking this doesn’t apply to me. But the truth is that each of our hearts are riddled with sin and the desire to do what we want. Ultimately, we seek control.

Let’s say you feel God asking you to minister to a friend but you don’t because it would be uncomfortable. Is that rebellion? What about when you are receiving correction from spiritual mentor but you are irritated at them for calling you out?

Rebellion resides in our hearts.

Pastor James McDonald defines rebellion as “knowing what God wants you to do and refusing to do it.” In essence it is choosing our way, our sin, our comfort or pleasure instead of God’s divine law.

It started with Adam and Eve. They were tempted by the devil in the form of a serpent to eat from the tree God had forbidden them to touch. Enticed by the lie that it would make them like God they ate the fruit and suffered the consequences. Instead of honoring their God, they chose to give in to rebellion in order to flatter their pride.

What they believed would bring satisfaction reaped only sorrow. That is the way of rebellion. It leads us away from the heart of God and the only true source of contentment.

“When we go our own way, we forget God’s sovereignty and we walk a line much more dangerous than we think.”

James McDonald

Rebellion is not only sin, it is painful. Discipline from the Lord is His sovereign way of nudging us back on the right path and back to Him.

Let’s resign our rebellion and bend our knees in repentance. Besides, isn’t resisting the Lord spiritual and physically exhausting?

He wants relationship with us and He wants your surrendered heart. He wants you. He wants me. But He wants us on the right path. What kind of Father would He be if He let us continue down a path of destruction without discipline?

Our way cannot lead to a satisfied life because this world was never intended to satisfy us. It will only leave us worn, calloused, and separated from God.

Perhaps there is secret sin in your life. Maybe you are reading this and know you’ve been rebelling against God or choosing your way instead of His. This is the moment of repentance.

“As it is said, ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.’”

Hebrews 3:15

He is waiting. In His faithfulness He will forgive when we acknowledge our rebellion and His authority. After all, authority is a good thing. It is His way of protecting us.

Like the parable of the prodigal son, He wants us to return to Him, submit to Him and in His arms you’ll hear the one who saved your life say…

My child, welcome home.