10 Scriptures on Disobedience: Counting the Cost
Tufts of moisture spot the sky in shades of periwinkle as I pull out my Bible. It is the dawn of a new day, and I’ve been thinking about the cost of disobeying God recently. Opening my journal, I begin listing Scriptures on disobedience as I consider the consequences of not obeying God.
10 Scriptures on Disobedience
Today, I’ll share those Scriptures on disobedience with you. Obedience is the number one indication that we love God. We’ll discuss this in greater depth shortly.
First, let’s turn to God’s Word. I also invite you to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you walk with God.
Scriptures on Disobedience
1. John 14:15 ESV
If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
Jesus’ words are clear: Obedience is the indication that we love him.
2. Luke 6:46
Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?
We cannot truly call Jesus “Lord” if we are living in disobedience.
3. Proverbs 15:5
A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.
These words remind us that wise people heed the instruction and correction of others.
4. 2 John 1:6
And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.
We demonstrate our love for God by obeying him.
5. Joshua 1:8
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
We avoid disobedience by keeping God’s Word close to our hearts and in our minds.
6. Romans 12:1
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Obedience includes offering ourselves to God as living sacrifices, following wherever he leads even when there is a cost.
7. Luke 11:28
But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
We are blessed when we obey God’s Word.
8. Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
This verse reminds us that we are also to obey government authorities.
9. Joshua 5:6
For the people of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, until all the nation, the men of war who came out of Egypt, perished, because they did not obey the voice of the Lord; the Lord swore to them that he would not let them see the land that the Lord had sworn to their fathers to give to us, a land flowing with milk and honey.
God’s people wandered in the wilderness for 40 years because they grumbled and refused to obey God. The journey should have taken them 11 days!
God will allow us to wander in disobedience until we commit to following him. Don’t let disobedience lead you to miss decades of God’s best for your life.
10. John 14:23
Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”
Jesus dwells with those who obey him.
Do you want greater peace?
Obey God as well as you can today.
If these Scriptures on disobedience challenged you, let them sink in for a while. God is drawing you to obey him because he loves you.
Let’s now shift gears and take a closer look at a biblical portrait of disobedience.
A Biblical Portrait of Disobedience
One of the best examples of the cost of disobedience can be found in the book of Numbers.
God’s people have finally reached the waters of the Jordan River, the gateway to the Promised Land. Their inheritance waits on the western side of the river. They must simply find a way to cross the river and receive the promise.
A few of the leaders look at the land where they stand on the eastern side of the river. They decide this land will be good enough for them.
They’re comfortable. This spot looks quite welcoming. They approach Moses, their faithful leader, and convince him to let them stay on the eastern side of the river:
“‘If we have found favor in your [Moses’] eyes,’ they said, ‘let this land be given to your servants as our possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan.’ Moses said to the Gadites and Reubenites, ‘Should your fellow Israelites go to war while you sit here? Why do you discourage the Israelites from crossing over into the land the Lord has given them?’” (Numbers 32:5-7 NIV)
Moses relents. He simply asks that they contribute to the conquests on the western side of the river, and they may then return and settle to the east.
The Cost of Disobedience
But the happy ending never comes.
The tribes who settled to the east of the Jordan River were attacked and enslaved. Enemies gouged out their eyes (Samuel 10:27, 2 Kings 10:32). Failing to obey God’s command cost them dearly.
The half-hearted Israelite clans set a good example for us all. Partial obedience is disobedience, and disobedience has a cost. We’re called to honor God for our own protection and benefit, not to stifle our fun.
What do we do when we realize we have disobeyed God?
Let’s look at several steps.
1. Repent.
Every time I feel stuck in life, I begin by asking the Lord if I need to repent in some area of my life.
He often shows me a lingering bad attitude or pattern of sin. I begin the process of finding freedom when I turn around. I turn away from my sinful behavior and turn toward God. This is repentance. This is often the first step toward freedom.
2. Commit to full obedience, not partial obedience.
Did God call you to walk away from a certain behavior? Did he lead you to end a relationship?
Don’t put it off, friend.
Don’t abstain from the behavior on weekdays but indulge on weekends. Follow God the whole way.
I know it feels hard. It is also the pathway to freedom.
3. Take a firm stand.
Take a firm stand against the mind-numbing habit, the sin that is stealing your peace, or the behavior that has you feeling convicted.
Tell someone.
Find accountability.
Write down a plan.
Take action.
4. Find others who will help you.
We all need places where we can show up as the truest forms of ourselves and be heard, loved, and cared for.
Join a group of like-minded people. Reach out to a friend, or get involved in your local church. Find community and allow these people to help you get back on the right path.
We all need places where we can show up as the truest forms of ourselves and be heard, loved, and cared for. #unstuck #community #fellowship Share on XIf these Scriptures on disobedience challenged you, I invite you to explore our devotional books and free library of eBooks below. Be blessed as you stay in step with the Lord!
Calling All Parents and Grandparents!
As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. You can find all three books here or read more below.
Attention All Boy Moms (and Dads)!
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter
Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
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If these Scriptures on disobedience blessed you, I have a gift for you today. God is a good Father, and he wants us to experience his healing, deliverance, and replenishment. Most of us have learned that we cannot heal, deliver, or refresh ourselves; we need God to do this work within us. I invite you to create space for God to transform your life by downloading a free copy of my devotional eBook, The Lean Into Grace Devotional: An 8-Day Devotional for Healing, Deliverance, and Replenishment. Find it for free here. I also offer a library of free online devotional eBooks for free. I invite you to explore the collection right here! 
