What Does the Bible Say About Disobedience?

By an eHow Contributor

Many people wonder what the Bible has to say about disobedience. The Bible defines disobedience as any choice that is contrary to what God has instructed. Adam's disobedience resulted in mankind being separated from God. The nations of Israel and Judah were both destroyed due to disobedience to God's laws. Obedience is always the answer to disobedience, but disobedience still has consequences, even after repentance.

Significance

According to the Bible, disobedience is failing to follow God's laws. People first became separated from God through Adam's disobedience (Genesis 3:17). The Bible is filled with examples of people's disobedience and the devastating consequences. Fortunately, people can always repent and choose obedience, such as David's reaction to Nathan pointing out his disobedience in having an affair with Uriah's wife and then having Uriah killed (II Samuel 11 and 12). Even after repentance, consequences still follow, such as the loss of the life of David's child (II Samuel 12:15-19).

Considerations

In the Bible, God frequently uses the "carrot and stick" approach to encourage obedience from His people. For example, after laying out the laws to govern Israel in the Book of Deuteronomy, God enumerated the blessings that Israel would receive if God's people obeyed the laws (Deuteronomy 28:1-14). However, God then went on to expound upon the curses that would befall Israel for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). Unfortunately, Israel chose disobedience and experienced those curses.

Effects

In the Bible, disobedience is always followed by consequences. For example, the Bible shares in Judges 2:6-23 that, after Joshua died, the Israelites fell into disobedience and worshiped other gods, among other acts of disobedience. God became angry and imposed consequences, such as selling His people into slavery and allowing Israel to be defeated in battle. It was because of Judah's disobedience that Babylon defeated the nation and took God's people captive (I Chronicles 9:2).

Prevention/Solution

Obedience is always the solution to disobedience. The disobedience of one man (Adam) brought separation from God, but the obedience of one man (Jesus) saved many (Romans 5:19). God wants to have mercy on those who are disobedient (Romans 11:30-32). Even Manasseh, who was one of the most evil kings of Judah, was able to return to God after terrible disobedience (II Chronicles 33:1-18).

Warning

According to the Bible, even though a person might return to God after disobedience, the damage often has already been done. Obedience after disobedience does not change the consequences of the bad choices. For example, the Bible records the story of Manasseh, king of Judah, in II Chronicles 33:1-18. Even though King Manasseh ultimately repented and became obedient to God, the damage of his disobedience was already done. The people continued to disobey God, which ultimately led to the destruction of Judah.