March 22: Faith of Obedience

 

by Tamelia Barriffe

A Reflection on Deuteronomy 28:1

Deuteronomy 28:1 says:

“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands that I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.”

This verse presents obedience as something that brings blessing and alignment with God’s purpose. Often when we hear the word obedience, we think of discipline, rules, and simply doing what we are told. However, an important question is what motivates that obedience.

Sometimes people obey because they trust God and believe His guidance leads to life. Other times, people obey because they are afraid of the consequences if they do not.

Human behavior shows that people often follow rules to avoid negative outcomes. For example, a child may clean their room to avoid losing their tablet, or a student may complete homework to avoid getting into trouble. In these cases, the behavior occurs, but it is motivated by fear of punishment rather than understanding the value of the action.

Faith can sometimes develop in a similar way. A person may pray, attend church, or follow religious practices because they fear disappointing God or being judged by others. From the outside this appears as obedience, but internally it may be driven by pressure or anxiety.

Obedience that is based mainly on fear often does not last. When the pressure is removed, the behavior may fade. For example, some teenagers who follow strict rules at home may abandon those practices once they gain independence because the obedience was not deeply rooted.

Others may respond in the opposite way by becoming overly compliant, constantly trying to do everything perfectly out of fear of making mistakes. This can lead to guilt, emotional strain, and difficulty experiencing peace in their faith.

However, the obedience described in Deuteronomy 28:1 appears to be different. The verse connects obedience with blessing and elevation, suggesting that God’s commands are meant to guide people toward a better life rather than trap them in fear.

When someone trusts that God’s guidance leads to protection, wisdom, and growth, obedience begins to feel less like escaping punishment and more like choosing a healthy path.

For example, a person may choose honesty not only because lying is wrong, but because honesty strengthens trust and relationships. Likewise, someone may choose forgiveness not only because it is commanded, but because forgiveness brings freedom and peace.In this way, obedience becomes connected to meaning and transformation.

Just as behavior can be understood by examining its purpose, our spiritual practices can also be explored by asking what motivates them. Reflecting on the function of our faith helps us understand whether our obedience is driven primarily by fear, habit, or a genuine relationship with God.The goal of reflection is not to judge ourselves, but to become more aware of what is shaping our spiritual life.

1. Reflect on Your Motivation

Our motivation can us can give us information about our faith

Ask yourself:

●     Do I obey God mainly because I fear consequences, or because I trust His guidance?

●     When I pray or attend church, do I feel peace and connection, or pressure and obligation?

●     If no one were watching, would I still choose to follow the same practices?

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2. Notice Your Emotional Experience

Our emotions can reveal a great deal about what is reinforcing our behavior.

Reflect on questions such as:

●     Does my faith bring me a sense of peace, growth, and direction?

●     Or does it mostly create anxiety, guilt, or fear of failure?

●     When I make mistakes, do I feel encouraged to grow, or do I feel overwhelmed by shame?

3. Observe What Sustains Your Faith

Another helpful reflection is to consider what keeps your faith consistent over time.

Ask yourself:

●     What helps me continue following God even when no one is reminding me?

●     Do I see evidence that God’s guidance improves my relationships, decisions, or character?

●     Am I motivated by love and trust, or mainly by avoiding judgment?

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for guiding us through Your Word and for teaching us the importance of obedience. Help us not to follow You out of fear or obligation, but out of trust, love, and faith in Your wisdom.  Amen.

Please write a comment to let us know how this devotional has impacted your life.