Rebellion is bad stuff.
In the Bible it is aligned with witchcraft (1 Samuel 15:16-23). It is serious. The enemy begins to control a rebellious person (1 Timothy 6:1; 1 Peter 5:5).
Rebellion causes a wilderness in your life (Psalms 68:6).
Rebellion leads to moral failure in 99.9% of cases.
Rebellion is a practice of evil people (Proverbs 17:11; Isaiah 65:2).
Rebellion results in the loss of blessings from God (Numbers 20:10-24; Joshua 2:1-15; Jeremiah 28:2-17).
Rebellion angers God (Isaiah 65:1-7; 1 Peter 3:18-22).
Rebellion results in death (Romans 5:12-19; 1 Peter 2:4-8).
Although there is much more that can be said about rebellion, we have to understand that God is not the Author of confusion (1 Corinthian 14:26-33), He wants things to be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40).
Here, rebellion is analyzed by Dr. Phil Mills, in light of a remarkable passage in Volume 5 of the Testimonies:
By Phil Mills
Rebellion, like pride, also brings spiritual blindness into our lives. It prevents us from seeing the truth, as this picture illustrates:
Resolving Rebellion
The good news is that rebellion can be cured. Praise God. As we humble ourselves before God and renounce rebellion in our lives, God cleanses our heart from the consequences of rebellion. When I resolved rebellion in my own life many years ago, I prayed something like this:
”Lord, I ask you to show me areas of rebellion that I have in my life. I am willing to acknowledge the rebellious attitude that I have demonstrated towards You and others in authority over me. I desire to be free to respond with an open heart and a Godly Christlike attitude toward each person or authority that you have placed over me. Forgive my rebellious attitude and cleanse my heart. In Jesus name, Amen” (Gerry Wagoner).
Freedom
When we renounce rebellion in our lives, God replaces that sin with spiritual qualities.
“Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord” (Col. 3:20).
“Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed. And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things” (1 Timothy 6:1-2).
“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake” (Romans 13:1-6).
Honor God and serve your fellow man!
****