Incomplete or Partial Obedience
Good morning, brethren, I would like to share on the topic “Incomplete or Partial Obedience.”This simply means obeying God’s commands or instructions only in part—doing some of what He says, but not all. Our key scripture is 1 Samuel 15:22–23 “But Samuel replied: ‘Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has rejected you as king.’” Incomplete obedience displeases God because His commands are not suggestions but are holy, perfect, and purposeful (Psalm 19:7). Partial obedience reveals a lack of trust in God’s wisdom and often exposes a divided heart—a desire to please God while still clinging to one’s own will. The Bible says in James 2:10 says “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.”
b #A clear example is found in 1 Samuel 15:1–23. God instructed King Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites and all they possessed. However, Saul spared King Agag and kept the best sheep and oxen, claiming they were “for sacrifice.” But to God, that was disobedience, not devotion. Good intentions can never substitute for total obedience. Another example is Lot’s wife in Genesis 19:17–26. Though the angels warned her not to look back at Sodom, she did—and that act of incomplete obedience cost her life; she became a pillar of salt. Likewise, in Numbers 20:7–12, Moses was instructed to speak to the rock so that water would flow, but instead, he struck it twice in anger. As a result, God denied him entry into the Promised Land. “Because you did not trust in Me enough to honor Me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.” (Numbers 20:12). In Acts 5:1–10, Ananias and Sapphira also demonstrated partial obedience. They sold their property but secretly kept part of the money while pretending to give all. Their deceit cost them their lives. There are consequences of incomplete obedience, for example loss of divine favour (Saul lost his kingship – 1 Samuel 15:28), delayed blessings (Moses could not enter Canaan), broken fellowship with God (Isaiah 59:2) and of course loss of credibility (disobedience ruins witness). There are reward for complete obedience, just as the scripture in Deuteronomy 28:1–2 says “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands… all these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.” Complete obedience brings peace, favour, fruitfulness, and intimacy with God. Believers are called to walk in complete obedience by Knowing God’s Word, you can only obey what you understand (Joshua 1:8), Submit your will by Surrendering self-desires daily to God (Luke 9:23), Depend on the Holy Spirit for He can empower you to obey (Philippians 2:13), let your obedience be without delay because delayed obedience can weaken your faith (Psalm 119:60).
In conclusion, yield your heart completely to God so that your flesh will not lead you astray, “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.” (Isaiah 1:19). Thanksgiving Service is for 10:30 a.m and Workers’ Meeting at 10:00 a.m. God’s blessings - Mike