Walking in Obedience
Have you ever asked God for direction…
and then, when you sensed His answer, found yourself asking Him again?
Lord, are You sure?
Was that really You?
Could You confirm it one more time?
This is Part 6 of our Growing in Hearing God’s Voice series. If you haven’t listened to the others please check out:
Part 1 – God Still Speaks Today: Why You Can Trust That He Wants to Speak to You
Part 2 – Learning to Recognize God’s Voice: Why Relationship Matters More Than Technique
Part 3 – Making Space to Listen: Quieting the Noise to Hear God More Clearly
Part 4 – The Many Ways God Speaks
Part 5 – How Do I know It’s Really God?
🎙️ Listen to the Podcast
If you’d prefer to listen to a shorter version of this message, please click on the link below and listen on Podbean for free. Alternatively, you can listen to The Jesus 4 Generations Podcast on your favorite streaming platform, e.g. Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
Is It Discernment, or Is Fear Holding Us Back?
Sometimes we genuinely need further discernment. We need to test what we believe we have heard against Scripture, pray, wait, and perhaps seek wise counsel.
But sometimes, if we are truthful, we already know.
We are not waiting for God to speak.
We are waiting to feel brave enough to obey.
And there is a difference.
Throughout this series, we have been learning to recognize God’s voice, discern what is from Him, grow in confidence, and become more sensitive to the ways He leads us.
But hearing God was never meant to end with hearing.
Eventually, we have to take the next step.
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
James 1:22 (NIV)
Hearing Requires a Response
Throughout Scripture, when God spoke, people were faced with a decision.
Would they trust Him enough to act?
Noah built an ark before there was any sign of the flood.
Abraham left his homeland without knowing exactly where God was taking him.
Moses returned to Egypt despite his fears and insecurities.
Joshua stepped into leadership after Moses.
Peter climbed out of a perfectly good boat because Jesus said one word:
“Come.”
And Mary, when given an extraordinary and life-changing word from God, responded:
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Luke 1:38 (NIV)
None of these people had every detail before they began.
They had enough light for the next step.
And often, that is how God leads us too.
We Often Want the Whole Map
I would much prefer God to show me the entire plan.
Where are we going?
How long will it take?
What will happen along the way?
Will it work?
Will people understand?
Will I succeed?
And perhaps most importantly…
Will I be safe?
But God often doesn’t give us the entire map.
He gives us the next step.
The Bible says:
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
A lamp doesn’t necessarily illuminate the entire road ahead.
It gives enough light to see where to place your foot next.
Then you take another step.
And another…
And another.
Over time, you discover that God has been leading you all along.
Obedience Is an Expression of Trust
Sometimes we think of obedience as a rule.
God tells us something, and therefore we must do it.
But biblical obedience is much more relational than that.
Obedience says, “God, I trust You.”
I trust Your character.
I trust Your wisdom.
I trust that You see what I cannot see.
I trust that You know what lies ahead.
I trust that Your ways are better than mine.
Jesus said:
“If you love me, keep my commands.”
John 14:15 (NIV)
Obedience flows from relationship.
We are not trying to earn God’s love through obedience.
We obey because we are loved.
We follow because we have learned that the One leading us is trustworthy.
Sometimes Obedience Feels Frightening
There are times when obeying God feels exciting.
And there are other times when it feels terrifying.
God may prompt you to have a difficult conversation.
Apologize.
Forgive someone.
Set a boundary.
Speak encouragement to someone.
Offer to pray.
Begin something new.
End something that has run its course.
Give generously.
Wait when you desperately want to move.
Move when you would rather stay comfortable.
Say yes.
Or say no.
Sometimes the hardest part isn’t hearing God.
It’s doing what we believe He has asked us to do.
Fear immediately begins asking questions.
What if I get it wrong?
What if they reject me?
What if I look foolish?
What if it doesn’t work?
But faith asks a different question:
What if God really is leading me?
Obedience Doesn’t Mean Recklessness
There is an important balance here.
Walking confidently in obedience does not mean acting impulsively on every thought or impression that enters our minds.
That is why the earlier parts of this series matter.
We learn to recognize God’s character.
We test what we hear against Scripture.
We grow in discernment.
We pray.
We listen.
We seek confirmation when appropriate.
And for significant decisions, particularly those affecting other people, finances, relationships, work, health, or major life direction, there is wisdom in seeking mature, godly counsel.
Scripture tells us:
“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”
Proverbs 15:22 (NIV)
Discernment and obedience belong together.
But there can also come a point where asking for endless confirmation becomes another way of avoiding obedience.
Eventually, after we have prayed, tested, listened and discerned, we may need to say:
“Lord, I believe this is You. I trust You. I will take the next step.”
Start With the Small Things
We sometimes imagine obedience to God will involve enormous assignments.
Move across the world.
Start a ministry.
Change careers.
Sell everything.
And occasionally God does lead people into significant changes.
But much of our training happens in very ordinary moments.
Call that person.
Send the encouraging message.
Pray now.
Stop and listen.
Don’t join in that conversation.
Tell the truth.
Admit you were wrong.
Give quietly.
Wait.
Go.
Speak.
Be silent.
The more faithfully we respond to God’s gentle promptings, the more we learn what His leading feels like.
Jesus said:
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much….”
Luke 16:10 (NIV)
Small acts of obedience matter.
They teach our hearts to respond.
Sometimes Understanding Comes After Obedience
This can be one of the hardest lessons to learn.
We often want God to explain everything before we obey.
But sometimes the understanding comes after the step.
Think again about Peter.
Jesus was walking on the water, and Peter said:
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
Matthew 14:28 (NIV)
Jesus replied:
“Come,” he said…..
Matthew 14:29 (NIV)
Peter then had a choice.
He could remain in the boat analyzing the word come.
He could ask the other disciples what they thought.
He could request three more confirmations.
Or he could put his foot over the side.
At some point, faith required movement.
And Peter experienced something he could never have experienced from inside the boat.
Yes, he later became frightened and began to sink.
But Jesus caught him.
That matters too.
Obedience does not mean we will execute everything perfectly.
We are learning.
And our confidence is not ultimately in our ability to hear perfectly.
Our confidence is in the God who is able to guide, correct, redirect and teach us as we walk with Him.
What If I Get It Wrong?
This fear can paralyze us.
Especially when we genuinely want to honor God.
But remember: God knows your heart.
If you are sincerely seeking Him, testing what you hear against Scripture, remaining teachable and wanting to obey Him, you don’t have to live terrified that one imperfect step will ruin God’s plan.
God is our Father.
He teaches us, His children.
Sometimes we will misunderstand.
Sometimes we will move too quickly.
Sometimes we will hesitate too long.
Sometimes we will discover that what we thought was God’s direction was actually our own desire.
When that happens, we learn.
We adjust.
We return to Him.
And we keep walking.
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”
Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)
Notice those final words:
Walk in it.
Not merely hear it.
Not simply write it in a journal.
Not endlessly analyze it.
Walk.
Obedience Builds Confidence
There is something wonderful that happens when we begin responding to God’s leading.
We start developing a history with Him.
We look back and remember:
God prompted me to do that and now I understand why.
God told me to wait and I’m so glad I did.
God nudged me to speak to that person and they needed encouragement that day.
God closed that door and later I understood His protection.
God asked me to step forward when I was afraid and He met me there.
These experiences become markers along our journey.
They remind us:
God has led me before.
God was faithful then.
God will be faithful again.
And gradually, confidence grows.
Not confidence in ourselves.
Confidence in Him.
You Don’t Need to See the Whole Road
Perhaps God has already been speaking to you about something.
Maybe there is a step you know you need to take.
You have prayed.
You have discerned.
You have waited.
You have asked for confirmation.
And perhaps God is gently saying:
It’s time.
You don’t need to know everything that happens after the next step.
You simply need enough faith to take the step He is showing you today.
Because hearing God’s voice is wonderful.
Recognizing His voice is precious.
Growing in discernment is essential.
But ultimately, hearing God should lead us somewhere.
It should lead us into a life of trust, surrender and obedience.
Jesus said:
He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
Luke 11:28 (NIV)
So when God speaks…
listen.
Discern.
Test.
Pray.
And when you know it is time—
take the next step.
🙏 A Prayer for Courage to Obey
Father,
Thank You that You still lead Your children.
Thank You for Your patience as I learn to recognize Your voice and understand Your ways.
Lord, I don’t want simply to hear You. I want to follow You.
Give me wisdom to discern what is from You and courage to obey when You speak.
Where fear has caused me to hesitate, strengthen my faith.
Where I have been asking for confirmation because I am afraid to move, help me trust You.
Teach me to be faithful in the small things and willing in the bigger things.
And when I cannot see the whole road ahead, remind me that I don’t need the entire map.
I only need to walk with You.
Give me enough light for the next step and enough courage to take it.
And if I misunderstand or stumble, keep my heart humble and teachable. Correct me, redirect me and continue to lead me.
I trust You, Father.
Help me not only to hear Your voice, but to walk faithfully wherever You lead.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
👣 Activation: What Is Your Next Step?
Take a few quiet minutes with God today.
Ask Him:
“Lord, is there something You have already spoken to me about that I haven’t acted on?”
Don’t rush to answer.
Listen.
Perhaps something immediately comes to mind.
If it does, ask:
“Lord, what is the next faithful step?”
Not the next ten steps.
Just the next one.
Write it down.
Pray over it.
Test it against Scripture.
Seek wise counsel if the decision requires it.
And if you have peace that God is leading you—
take the step.
Then come back later and write down what happened.
Over time, you may begin to see something beautiful developing:
a history of hearing God…
trusting God…
and walking with Him.
I’d Love to Hear From You
Has there been a time when God prompted you to do something and you were nervous to obey, and later understood why He was leading you?
Or perhaps you’re learning right now how to move from hearing into doing.
I’d love for you to share your experience in the comments. Your story may be exactly the encouragement someone else needs to take their next step.
If this message encouraged you, please like, share and subscribe so others can join us as we continue growing together in hearing God’s voice.
And remember:
Right now is always the best time to begin with God.
God bless.
Sandy
All Bible Sources are from the New International Version (NIV)
I use Bible Gateway when out and about, check it out: https://www.biblegateway.com
I do not receive any commissions and have no affiliate partnerships with any sources noted.
Jesus 4 Generations 
Leave a comment