I know eating pizza will wreak havoc on my body, yet when it’s in front of me, I struggle to say no or just eat one piece. Each time, I promise myself I won’t eat it again as I pop another antacid into my mouth. It’s a frustrating cycle—knowing the pain that follows but choosing the temporary satisfaction anyway. This experience mirrors the spiritual struggle many of us face when it comes to disobeying God.

Why do we often choose to disobey God when we know it leads to spiritual pain? How can we grow stronger in resisting temptation? Let’s explore these questions with the guidance of God’s Word.

Paul captures this internal battle in Romans 7:15, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” Paul’s honesty is comforting. Even a devoted servant of Christ experienced this tension between what he desired spiritually and what his flesh wanted.

Temptation is universal. It’s that enticing whisper convincing us the immediate pleasure is worth the cost. Like the fictional character Pinocchio, who had Jiminy Cricket as his conscience, we often hear competing voices. One voice—the Holy Spirit—urges obedience and holiness. The other—the sinful nature—encourages rebellion.

Galatians 5:16-17 reminds us of this conflict: “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.”

Why Do We Choose to Disobey?

There are several reasons we might choose disobedience:

1. Deception Sin often masquerades as something desirable. In Genesis 3:6, Eve saw the forbidden fruit as “good for food and pleasing to the eye.” She believed the serpent’s lie that it would make her like God. When we focus on sin’s allure, we forget its consequences.
2. Lack of Self-Control Like my struggle with pizza, many of us lack the self-discipline to say no. Proverbs 25:28 warns, “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” Without self-control, we are vulnerable to attacks from temptation.
3. Spiritual Distance When we neglect time in God’s Word or prayer, the Holy Spirit’s voice becomes faint. Jesus said in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Without staying connected to Christ, we lack the strength to resist sin.

Disobedience to God has consequences, just as overindulging in pizza has physical repercussions.

1. Broken Fellowship with God Sin creates distance between us and God. Isaiah 59:2 states, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.”
2. Spiritual and Emotional Pain David experienced deep anguish after his sin with Bathsheba. He cried out in Psalm 32:3-4, “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.”
3. Missed Blessings Disobedience can lead to missed opportunities for blessings. In Deuteronomy 28, God outlines blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. One of the greatest losses is the peace that comes from walking in God’s will.

Thankfully, God provides tools to help us resist temptation and grow in obedience.

1. Stay in the Word The Bible is our guide and defense against sin. Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Regular Bible study equips us with truth to counter temptation.
2. Pray for Strength Jesus encouraged His disciples in Matthew 26:41, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Prayer invites God’s power into our weakness.
3. Rely on the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is our helper, guiding us into truth and convicting us of sin. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit, including self-control. When we walk by the Spirit, we gain the strength to resist sin.
4. Confess and Repent When we fail, we must confess our sins and turn back to God. 1 John 1:9 assures us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
5. Seek Accountability Sharing struggles with a trusted friend or mentor can provide encouragement and accountability. James 5:16 advises, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”

Like the angel and devil on Pinocchio’s shoulders, we face competing voices every day. The key to discerning God’s voice is staying close to Him. John 10:27 says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

To make God’s voice the loudest:

• Spend daily time in prayer and Scripture.
• Listen for the Holy Spirit’s promptings.
• Eliminate distractions that drown out His voice, like excessive screen time or worldly influences.

We all sin and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). But through Christ, we have forgiveness and the power to overcome. When we stumble, we don’t need to live in defeat. Instead, we can press on, knowing God’s grace is sufficient.

Paul’s words in Philippians 3:13-14 are a powerful reminder: “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Disobedience may bring temporary satisfaction, but it ultimately leads to pain and separation from God. The good news is that we are not alone in the fight. God has given us His Word, His Spirit, and His grace to help us overcome.

Let this devotional inspire you to stay close to God, rely on His strength, and choose obedience over temporary pleasure. As you do, you’ll find the joy, peace, and freedom that come from walking in His ways.

Proverbs 3:5-6 sums it up beautifully: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”